WALKER, Mich. — A Walker man was arrested on multiple charges related to human trafficking following a seven-month investigation by the Kent County Sheriff’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force.
Jeremy Jonathan Byl, 47, is accused of assisting with commercial sex through multiple social media accounts, posing as a woman online to arrange commercial sex, transporting victims for commercial sex and profiting from the arrangements.
Byl is a custodian at Holland High School. Investigators say there is no reason to believe students or staff at the school were involved or targeted.
Byl was arraigned Monday on the following charges:
- Prostitution/Transporting — Felony up to 20 years
- Computers – Internet – Communicating with another to commit a crime — Felony up to 20 years
- Aiding and Abetting (prostitution) – Misdemeanor
Investigators anticipate more charges will be filed throughout the investigation.
Rebecca McDonald is the founder and president of Women at Risk, an organization and resource that helps people being trafficked across the world, even right here in West Michigan.
The news about Byl is a reminder to McDonald about the constant fight their organization has in helping people recognize the signs of trafficking, which is not uncommon in West Michigan.
"Ninety five percent of all victims of human trafficking think they know their trafficker, said McDonald. "This is not kidnapping. Three percent is kidnapping. This is somebody you think you know, or they they build a relationship with you. The number one traffickers are family, the number two trafficker is a fake boyfriend. And then it goes on and on."
Lynn Stone with Be A Voice works to educate community members about abuse, including trafficking.
Last week, the group held a free showing of the new movie "Sound Of Freedom," described as a true story about the horrors of child trafficking.
While the movie has mixed reviews, she said hearing about Byl's arrest shows why these conversations are important to have.
"We're concerned about our children, our neighbors children, our teens who are spending so much time online and meeting who knows who," said Stone.
Another resource, Just One More, is a non-profit organization that helps locate sex trafficking operations.
Mike Bailey talked to 13 ON YOUR SIDE about some of the resources the non-profit offers, including defense training.
"I think the most important aspect of what we do is we build awareness and we build people the tools they need to avoid situations where they might encounter some kind of evil," said Bailey.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Kent County Sheriff's Office at 616-632-6125 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
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