Sheboygan, WI (WHBL) - Sheboygan Police have now charged the woman who claims that she was forced to solicit a teen girl in the vicinity of North 9th Street and St. Claire Avenue on August 23, 2015.
The child told police that while walking in the area, a white Cadillac pulled up alongside her, and a female passenger reportedly said, “My man really likes you, you want to smoke?” The woman also reportedly told the teen, “You’ll be safe with us, let’s go smoke.” The teen says the occupant of the car was trying to coax her into getting in.
After investigating the case, Police traced the Cadillac to its rightful owner who told police that he loaned the car to 25-year-old Markel Hogan of Milwaukee.
Hogan is already charged with one count of human trafficking and trafficking of a child in connection to this case.
The charges Hogan faces stem from information provided to Sheboygan police from his female passenger, now identified as 21-year- old Michelle V. Cortez of Sheboygan.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Sheboygan County court, Cortez claims that she was forced into prostitution by Hogan, and alleges that on August 23, 2015, she and Hogan saw the fifteen year old walking along North 9th Street. Cortez alleges that Hogan told her, "Hey, hey, get that bitch…She’ll be my bitch...... She’ll get me money.”
Cortez maintains that she approached the child because she felt she had to – for fear of Hogan.
Cortez is now charged with trafficking of a child – as party to a crime.
She could face up to forty years in prison and fines up to $100,000.00. if convicted.