GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Two men accused of human trafficking after deputies said they forced a woman to go into a metro Grand Rapids bank and open an account were sentenced Thursday to probation.
The pair were arrested two years ago and faced multiple charges, including unlawful imprisonment and human trafficking.
‘Classic case’: Human trafficking charges in bank scheme
They pleaded no contest in September to an amended count of illegal possession of a financial transaction device, a four-year felony. In exchange for the pleas, other charges were dismissed.
Darvionce C. Smith, and Devaughntre D. Bates, were each placed on probation for three years. The pair, both from Kalamazoo, had been out on bond prior to their appearance in Kent County Circuit Court.
The arrests happened in late November 2023 after a woman entered a Byron Township bank and told employees she was being forced to open a bank account…