THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2025 

PONTIAC, Mich. - Oakland County Prosecutor KAREN D. McDONALD charged Dr. Gireesh Velugubanti, a 49-year-old resident of Royal Oak, with human trafficking and drug charges.

An ongoing investigation by Oakland County’s Human Trafficking Task Force identified Velugubanti, a practicing Neurologist, as a customer of the Sonesta Suites trafficking ring allegedly involving three individuals currently facing trafficking charges, Antione Fulgiam, Chanel Rackard, and Sherri Gress. Text messages between the defendant and Fulgiam allegedly show the defendant arranging commercial sex with trafficking victims as well as purchasing drugs.

“Purchasing sex with trafficked women isn’t a victimless crime. It is abuse,” said Prosecutor McDonald. “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.”

Text messages also reveal that the defendant was unhappy with one of the trafficked sex workers and apparently asked Fulgiam to warn the trafficking victim that her “free medical care” may come to an end.

“This defendant’s alleged behavior is especially shocking,” said Prosecutor McDonald. “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.

He will be arraigned in the 46th District Court.

Charges are accusations and individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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PLEASE NOTE: Online information about the defendant’s relationship to or affiliation with any hospital systems may be inaccurate. The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office is not aware of any specific affiliations between the defendant and hospital systems. We are working with law enforcement to learn if any patients were impacted or need to be informed.