Human Trafficking Arrest In Grant

Task force seminar leads to investigation, arrest

A human trafficking investigation has led to the arrest of a 30-year-old Philadelphia, Pennsylvania man in Michigan.
 
The Grant Police Department is a member of a county-wide task force working to  
educate youth on the dangers of illicit online activity. After attending an in-school 
seminar regarding human trafficking the victim approached the school resource officer asking for help. Officers from the Grant Police Department then began an investigation. While traveling to meet the victim, Patrick Adam Lathrop was arrested on January 14, 2023 after being intercepted by GPD officers at the Gerard R Ford International Airport. Additionally, multiple electronic devices and hard drives have been seized as evidence. On January 17, 2023 Lathrop was arraigned in the 78th District Court in Newaygo  County. 

Lathrop is being held on a $75,000 cash bond in the Newaygo County Jail. He is charged with (1) count of Child Sexually Abusive Activity, a 20-year felony and/or $100,000; (1) count of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, a 20 year to Life felony; (1) count Children – Distributing Sexually Explicit, Visual or Verbal Matter, a 2-year felony. Additional charges in federal courts are possible.
 
Grant Police Department was assisted by the Newaygo County Prosecutors Office, 
Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Gerard R Ford International Airport Police, and the Philadelphia Police Department. 

Grant Police Chief Bradley Wade: "Education provided to Grant Students utilizes the K-12 Human Trafficking Education curriculum.  This education provides students with information regarding, grooming, red flags and safety measures pertaining to human trafficking.  Through this education, it gives students a voice to report any suspicions to a trusted adult".

​Teresa Fetterley: "As the Newaygo County Human Trafficking Taskforce Chair, we are relieved to know that this student is safe.  The catalyst that triggered the student to come forward was the A21 Prevention Education Curriculum, specifically the online grooming lesson.  We are grateful for the passionate staff at Grant High School willing to take the time and energy to address this pervasive and hidden crime of Human Trafficking in our schools, county, state and nation." 

​Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to the call the Grant Police Department at (231)834-7212. 

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