Elisha Anderson

Detroit Free Press

The city of Detroit is seeking to have a motel raided last week closed for a year, calling it a "public nuisance."

A document filed in Wayne County Circuit Court alleges A Victory Inn on the 9400 block of Michigan "is being utilized for criminal activities, including the possession, sale and distribution of illegal drugs ... and to promote or allow prostitution."

City officials said in the filing they want all furniture and fixtures removed and sold from the motel, which is located between a topless club and adult book store near the Dearborn-Detroit border on they city's west side.

Wayne County Circuit Chief Judge Robert Colombo Jr. ordered defendants to appear on Jan. 27 for a hearing to "show cause why the court should not enter the proposed order requiring immediate abatement of nuisance."

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The court document lists Jay Shiyaram Inc. as a defendant and the owner. The Free Press left a message at the motel but has been unable to reach anybody for comment.

About 150 people from multiple agencies executed a federal search warrant at the motel Thursday as part of an ongoing investigation, said Khaalid Walls, a spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Human trafficking victims, drugs, drug paraphernalia, a gun, evidence of drug use and dozens of cell phones were located during the raid, a federal court document said.

"Several of those human trafficking victims spoke with law enforcement and confirmed widespread and ongoing prostitution and drug distribution from the Victory Inn," the document said.

Court records show two people have been charged in federal court in connection with the investigation led by ICE Homeland Security Investigations.

Michael Randol, also known as "Man," faces charges related to drug offenses and sex trafficking, court documents show. His attorney declined to comment Tuesday.

Another man was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to court records.

Law enforcement conducted surveillance over the past several months at the motel.

Detroit police have called A Victory Inn a "long-time problem" and said there were 115 police runs to the motel in 2016 and more to the surrounding area.

Contact Elisha Anderson: eanderson@freepress.com or 313-222-5144