A woman, referred to as "Marie" for her safety, is speaking out about her traumatic experience as a victim of the "Michigan Monster." According to the Genesee County sheriff, this individual is accused of holding Marie captive and repeatedly raping her over several days. Marie recalls how the encounter began innocuously enough. She was familiar with one of her captors, Alex Schmidt, and was offered food and a hot shower after a disagreement with her boyfriend. However, what started as an act of kindness quickly turned into a lifetime of traumatic memories. Marie was held captive in a small house in Flint and was unable to leave despite her pleas. For over a week, she was subjected to physical and emotional abuse while kept in a drug and alcohol-induced state. The captors wouldn't let her eat or drink anything besides vodka and she was repeatedly sexually assaulted by multiple men. As January marks Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Marie bravely shares her story in the hopes that it will help others. She acknowledges that she may always worry about the future, but she is a survivor and will not let the trauma define her.
Michael Barajas, 36, has been arrested on seven felony charges, including human trafficking, kidnapping, and first-degree criminal sexual conduct, stemming from Marie's case. He faces life in prison if convicted. Following Marie's bravery in coming forward, a second victim also reported a separate case of sexual assault against Barajas, leading to 20 additional charges. Barajas remains in custody at the Genesee County Jail, awaiting preliminary hearings on February 1 for Marie's case and February 2 for the second victim's case.
Online dating apps have made it easier for people to connect with each other and find love. However, these platforms are also being exploited by sex traffickers to find and lure in potential victims.
Traffickers use fake profiles and manipulate individuals into trusting them. They often pretend to be romantic partners and gain the victim's personal information and trust. Once the victim is isolated and vulnerable, the trafficker may coerce or force them into sex work.
Victims of trafficking can come from any demographic and can be found on any dating app. Traffickers look for individuals who are vulnerable, such as those who are struggling financially or have a history of abuse. They use this information to manipulate and control their victims.
It's important for individuals to be cautious when using online dating apps and to never share personal information with someone they have not met in person. If someone seems too good to be true or is constantly pressuring you for information or to meet up, it is best to block them and report their profile to the app's administrators.
It's also important for app developers and law enforcement to work together to identify and stop trafficking on their platforms. This includes implementing stricter verification processes and monitoring profiles for red flags.
In conclusion, sex trafficking is a growing problem and individuals need to be aware of the tactics used by traffickers on online dating apps. By staying vigilant and reporting suspicious activity, we can help protect individuals from falling victim to this heinous crime. Use the CyberOne Intelligence tool Digital Footprint Report to find any online identity! Do you have a hunch that this person may be not who you think? Get some piece of mind.
