A man arrested for child pornography is now suspected of doing much more than that. He is also accused of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.
Sonny Miller spent more than 20 years behind bars for a rape case out of Macomb County. He got out and a little over a year later, the convicted pedophile is accused of more heinous acts. Among his aliases, Gypsy. Sources say that's what he was. Miller and five children had only lived next door to Cheri Mulligan in Dearborn Heights for less than three weeks before police raided his home in March and arrested him for child pornography.
"I was really, really upset," said.
According to the federal complaint, a search of his cell phone after he was caught breaking into a home in Dearborn revealed what was really going on behind closed doors -- child sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. Investigators found naked pictures and sexually explicit videos of five boys and girls ranging in age from six to 15, the same kids living with him, in some videos having sexual relations with the 52-year-old himself.
Mulligan has three children.
"The detective came into my house telling me what he found in the girls' phones and what he found in the guy's phone, asking me if my kids were involved and looked at my kids to see if they would see any videos of my kids on the phones."
Also discovered through texts, the man who moved from place to place had possibly bought some, if not all, of the female children he had living with him carrying out the sexual acts. In one video, Miller is seen lying on a bed with no shirt saying, "As long as she can make babies, she'll have money."
"The front of the house, it was always closed up. They never had their shades open or anything like that, and I just thought they were private people," said neighbor Pamela Strilecky. "I'm like really disturbed right now ... that was living in my neighborhood. I'm disturbed that was even going on."
Miller, a registered sex offender, was not only living next door to unsuspecting families, but a few feet away from a recreation center and down the street from a school.
"It was just a relief once I knew that they wouldn't be back," said Mulligan.
Southeast Michigan Crimes against Children Task Force is investigating this case, which could be part of a larger investigation since sadly sex trafficking of children is something that's out there.
As for the children that were living with Miller, we're told they're now in protective custody.
The U.S. Marshals have Miller in custody. He was officially charged with child pornography Wednesday.
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:58 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:58:47 GMT
35-year-old Sabrina Gianino was found dead inside her boyfriend's flat on Wayburn in Grosse Pointe Park just after midnight on Wednesday. Police are calling the death suspicious.
35-year-old Sabrina Gianino was found dead inside her boyfriend's flat on Wayburn in Grosse Pointe Park just after midnight on Wednesday. Police are calling the death suspicious.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 10:59 PM EDT2013-05-16 02:59:09 GMT
Warren police raided a pet store described as a little shop of horrors. The owner is not only accused of keeping animals in filthy conditions, but keeping them in a building without working utilities.
Warren police raided a pet store described as a little shop of horrors. The owner is not only accused of keeping animals in filthy conditions, but keeping them in a building without working utilities.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-05-15 03:01:56 GMT
We're told a woman from New York was attacked near the Majestic Theatre while trying to help someone in need. Sources say she was then carjacked, kidnapped, robbed and sexually assaulted before she escaped.
We're told a woman from New York was attacked near the Majestic Theatre while trying to help someone in need. Sources say she was then carjacked, kidnapped, robbed and sexually assaulted before she escaped.
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:08 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:08:52 GMT
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:54 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:54:31 GMT
Four people were shot and injured Sunday outside a house on Lakepoint in Detroit. The shooter, in a gold truck, is still on the loose.
Four people were shot and injured Sunday outside a house on Lakepoint in Detroit. We're told a group of 10 people were drinking and partying outside the house when a gold truck rolled down the street and started firing.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 17:52:35 GMT
Authorities have identified a 20-year-old man they've arrested in the firebombing of the suburban Detroit home of an heir to the Art Van Furniture business.
Authorities have identified a 20-year-old man they've arrested in the firebombing of the suburban Detroit home of an heir to the Art Van Furniture business.
Let It Rip Weekend: Doggy Insurance, Pit Bull Bans & $15 Minimum Wage
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:33 AM EDT2013-05-19 14:33:58 GMT
This time we're talking about a new requirement in Royal Oak that has some dog owners taking out $1 million insurance policies on their pooches. Plus, Waterford Township is considering repealing their
Should owners of dangerous dogs have to take out $1 million insurance policies? Are pit bull bans a good idea? Plus, should the minimum wage be raised to $15 an hour?
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:01 AM EDT2013-05-19 04:01:16 GMT
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.