Doctor accused of ransoming medical care for sex
- Dignity 4Patients
- Jun 27
- 2 min read
By Justine Lofton - Michigan Live News - 27.06.2025 - [USA] - [Dr. Gireesh Velugubanti] SOUTHFIELD, MI – A Michigan neurologist is accused of ransoming medical care for sex with trafficked women in this “shocking” case of abuse, authorities said. Dr. Gireesh Velugubanti, 49, of Royal Oak, is facing charges related to human trafficking and drugs, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald announced. An ongoing investigation by Oakland County’s Human Trafficking Task Force identified Velugubanti as an alleged customer of the Sonesta Suites trafficking ring.
“Purchasing sex with trafficked women isn’t a victimless crime. It is abuse,” McDonald said. “This defendant and men like him, often living comfortable lives, prey on victims who have been denied personal agency or freedom by traffickers. Sex trafficking only exists because so-called ‘customers’ create an economic incentive. They will be held accountable.”
Antione Fulgiam, Chanel Rackard and Sherri Gress are already facing charges related to running the trafficking ring. Text messages between Velugubanti and Fulgiam allegedly show Velugubanti arranging commercial sex with trafficked victims and purchasing drugs.
Text messages also reveal that the defendant was unhappy with one of the trafficked sex workers and apparently asked Fulgiam to warn the victim that her “free medical care” may come to an end.
“This defendant’s alleged behavior is especially shocking,” McDonald said. “According to police investigations, he effectively ransomed health care in order to exploit one or more victims. The first rule of the medical profession is to ‘do no harm.’ There are few things a doctor can do more harmful than to allegedly expect sex as a condition for care.”
Velugubanti is charged with human trafficking enterprise resulting in injury/commercial sexual activity, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine; and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance less than 50 grams, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article and were abused in state run medical and health facilities, you can contact Dignity4Patients, whose helpline is open Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm.
