A Wayland man has been sentenced to almost five to as many as 15 years in prison in connection with a sex trafficking case at his home.
The Michigan Attorney General’s Office has indicated Robert H. Grigsby, 52, and Vanessa Anne Phillips, 42, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of human trafficking-forced labor resulting in commercial sexual activity.
They were charged last year with several other counts. While Grigsby is going to prison, Phillips will be sentenced March 28.
Wayland Police officers had been investigating Grigsby for three years and in 2019 raided his home on Maple Street and had found evidence of sex trafficking and drug use. Officer reported they had uncovred 6,000 online ads linked to a prostitution ring.
Grigsby originally was charged with one count of sex trafficking, two counts of accepting earnings from prostitution, two counts of transportation for prostitution and a count of conspiracy to conduct a criminal enterprise.
Phillips was charged with two counts of sex trafficking, two counts of accepting earnings of prostitution and one count of conspiracy to conduct a criminal enterprise.
“Those who seek to exploit vulnerable individuals are willing to set up shop anywhere,” said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. “The dedicated officers of the Wayland Police Department knew that when they initiated and pursued their investigation.
“Our partnerships with local law enforcement agencies like the Wayland Police Department make it possible to pursue these predators wherever they are operating in Michigan.”
“Thankfully, crimes like this do not occur in Wayland very often,” said Police Chief Mark Garnsey. “However, the Wayland Police are fortunate to have experienced officers and investigators that are up to the task.”
He praised the State Attorney General’s Office for time given to the case, and “their relentless persistence in helping us bring two human traffickers to justice.”
He also mentioned the work of the Human Trafficking Task Force consisting of the Michigan State Police, Allegan County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI.
Proud of our Wayland Police Department, bring this horrific crime to an end. Thank you officers for your persistence in ending this terrible crime. You are the best.