Huron County Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson, at podium, addresses the media on July 15, regarding human trafficking arrests that occurred in the county. Hanson was joined by, from left, Bad Axe Detective Kevin Knoblock, Sanilac County Sheriff Paul Rich, Genessee County Sheriff Christopher R. Swanson, and Huron County Prosecutor Timothy J. Rutkowski. (Photo by Seth Stapleton)
HURON COUNTY – Three Huron County men have been arrested and charged with three separate felony counts related to an underage sex sting operation in the county.
The operation was executed on July 12 and involved the arrests of 45-year-old Port Austin man Daniel R. Horetski, 56-year-old Sebewaing man Kevin A. Manor, and 40-year-old Ubly man Jeremy J. Susalla.
According to Huron County Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson, his office collaborated with officials from the Sanilac and Tuscola County Sheriff’s Offices, Sanilac County Drug Task Force, Bad Axe Police Department, Genessee County Sheriff’s Office, and Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Hanson said on July 12, over the course of about 10 hours, the group teamed up to make the arrests of the men, who were allegedly seeking sex from underage children. Reportedly, one man admitted to seeking an underage male, while the other two were seeking underage females.
“In my 40 years of being involved in law enforcement, we’ve never had something like this take place up here,” said Hanson at a press conference July 15, held outside of the sheriff’s office in Bad Axe, alongside representatives from other departments involved in the sting.
Huron County Prosecutor Timothy J. Rutkowski, at podium, discusses the charges levied against three Huron County suspects involved in a sex sting operation. (Photo by Seth Stapleton)
The overall operation was coordinated by the Genessee office’s GHOST Team, short for Genessee Human Oppression Strike Team. Since its inception in 2018, GHOST has arrested 156 individuals, with a 100% conviction rate, according to team founder and Genessee County Sheriff, Christopher R. Swanson.
“What we are seeing here is a cooperation that the people of this state – especially Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola counties – can rest well with knowing that there are people out there looking after a vulnerable population,” Swanson said.
Hanson detailed the specifics of the operation, which was run out of an undisclosed location, utilizing internet sex and prostitution sites. Hanson said the suspects would “shop” the sites, before reaching out, believing to be communicating with and arranging a meeting with an underage sex participant.
However, they were actually communicating and arranging a meeting location with members of GHOST. When the suspects would arrive at the location, young Genessee and Huron County office deputies posing as “decoys” were utilized in order to satisfy the suspicions and curiosities of the suspects.
Evidence seized in the operation included cell phones, cash, vehicles and other various items.
Hanson credited the immense effort and resources put forth by each agency involved. The effort utilized the services of over 30 officers across all agencies.
“It takes a lot to put these operations together,” he said.
Also present at the press conference was Huron County Prosecutor Timothy J. Rutkowski.
Rutkowski’s office formally charged Horetski, Manor and Susalla on July 13, before they were arraigned in Huron County District Court. Each were arraigned on three counts of child sexually explicit activity (a 20-year felony); using a computer to commit child sexually explicit activity (a 20-year felony); and accosting a minor for immoral purposes (a 4-year felony).
All remain lodged in Huron County Jail, with bond set at $500,000 cash/ surety. Their pretrial conference is set for July 21, with a preliminary examination on July 29.
“This is an opportunity for all of us to work together in an issue I think affects all of us and is important – and that is protecting our children,” Rutkowski said.