An Oakland County neurologist is accused of trading medical care for sex with at least one trafficking victim.

Prosecutor Karen McDonald has charged Dr. Gireesh Velugubanti, a 49-year-old Royal Oak man, with human trafficking and drug charges.

An ongoing investigation by the county’s Human Trafficking 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.

McDonald’s office has charged three other people — Antoine Fulgiam, Chanel Rackard, and Sherri Gress, in connection with the alleged ring at the hotel.

Text messages between Velugubanti and Fulgiam allegedly show the doctor arranging commercial sex with trafficking victims and purchasing drugs, according to a release from 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” may come to an end.

“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.

“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.

He will be arraigned in the 46th District Court in Southfield.

Velugubanti is a practicing neurologist. McDonald’s office is not aware of any affiliations with area hospital systems, the release said.

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