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Four Battle Creek men indicted on federal human trafficking charges

Posted at 4:08 PM, Jul 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-22 16:08:23-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Four Battle Creek men have been indicted on federal charges on multiple counts of human trafficking.

William Jeffrey-Davis Edwards, 24, Dakota Dale Walters, 24, James Gabriel Smith, 26, and Michael Ray Noble II, 20, had been previously charged in Calhoun County on human trafficking charges.  Those charges are now dropped in exchange for the federal charges.  Homeland Security Investigations has been investigation the suspects with the Battle Creek Police Department.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says the four suspects had been allegedly trafficking two 14-year-olds.  They face up to life in prison on the charges.

The victims will be able to seek restitution for counseling, treatment and other damages if the suspects are convicted.