A Royal Oak neurologist accused of trading medical care for sex from a human trafficking victim was arraigned Friday, June 27, on criminal charges that could send him to prison for up to 20 years.

Dr. Gireesh Velugubanti, 47, is in the Oakland County Jail on $500,000 cash or surety bond after his arraignment in Southfield before 46th District Court Magistrate Sharon Woodside, according to a release from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

He is charged with human trafficking and conspiracy to deliver or manufacture a controlled substance less than 50 grams.

Members of the Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force arrested Velugubanti Thursday at his Royal Oak home.

The task force identified Velugubanti as a possible customer of an alleged trafficking ring at the Sonesta Simply Suites hotel in the area of I-696 and Lahser Road in Southfield.

Three other people — Antoine Fulgiam, Chanel Rackard, and Sherri Gress — have been charged in connection with the alleged ring.

Text messages between Velugubanti and Fulgiam allegedly show the doctor arranging commercial sex with at least one trafficking victim and purchasing drugs, according to releases from Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard and Prosecutor Karen McDonald.

Text messages reveal that Velugubanti was unhappy with one of the trafficked sex workers and apparently asked Fulgiam to warn her that her “free medical care” could end.

“It is difficult to conceive of a component of human trafficking that worsens the situation, but the fact that the alleged perpetrator we uncovered in this investigation is a doctor makes it even more disturbing,” Bouchard said. “How can someone who has sworn the Hippocratic oath to ‘do no harm’ be involved in such absolutely violating and disgusting behavior? There needs to be a full reckoning for this at the bar of justice.”

Velugubanti is a practicing neurologist. McDonald’s office is not aware of any affiliations he has with area hospital systems.

Prosecutors are working with law enforcement to learn if any patients were impacted or need to be informed.

In addition to Velugubanti’s arrest, the task force arrested a Clinton Township man earlier this year who allegedly trafficked a Saginaw woman in Madison Heights.

Marcell Davon Joseph, 24, faces three felony charges: human trafficking enterprise resulting in injury, prostitution/transporting, prostitution/accepting earnings; and a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence, second offense. A conviction on either of the prostitution charges carries up to 20 years in prison.