Ninth Conspirator Sentenced in Detroit Human Trafficking Scheme

The FBI has announced the sentencing of Michail Aronov, age 34, to 7 ½ years in prison as will as requiring him to pay in excess of $1 million in restitution. The conviction stems from his involvement as a ring leader of a conspiracy that forced women form countries in Eastern Europe, who thought they were begin brought to the United States for legitimate jobs, to work as exotic dances in strip clubs in the Detroit, Michigan area.

The actual crimes he was convicted of are conspiring to violate their civil rights by involuntary servitude, immigration conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.

According to the papers filed with the court, Aronov, in conspiracy with his business partners operated what amounted to human trafficking in which they smuggled women into the United States and threatened them if they did not work in the clubs. They did this under the cover of a legitimate business, Beauty Search Inc.

Aronov's sentence was actually reduced by the court because of cooperation he gave in helping the investigators dismantle the Beauty Search company.

Previously, his co conspirator, Aleksandr Maksimenko was ordered to repay $1,570,450 to the women and the $537,043.84 that agents had seized from his home and safety deposit boxes along with an estimated $30,000 worth of jewelry, be turned over to the court to satisfy part of the restitution award.

Aronov is only one of nine how were convicted in this slavery activity and the last one to be sentenced.

Maksimenko, in addition to the fines and restitution, also was previously sentenced to 14 years in prison

His father, Venyamin Gonikman, is still at large and the investigators are working in conjunction with Ukrainian and European law enforcement authorities not only to locate Gonikman, but also to investigate just how wide spread this conspiracy was.

Crimes like this are more prevalent than one would think. In the last six fiscal years, the number of cases involving slavery that have been filed in court have risen by six times. This fact comes from the Civil Rights Division, in conjunction with U.S. Attorney's Offices.