07/11/2025
On June 30, 2025, Washington County Sheriff Deputies were called out to an apartment complex in the City of Mahtomedi for a report of a minor female in distress. Upon arrival deputies found a 14-year-old girl clearly under the influence of drugs. Based on the initial questioning and circumstances surrounding the incident, investigators from the East Metro Human Trafficking Task Force (EMHTTF) were called to conduct further investigation.
EMHTTF Investigators learned that the 14-year-old girl was picked up in Minneapolis and brought to the apartment in Mahtomedi, where it is alleged, she was given drugs and s*xually assaulted by two men.
Investigators watched surveillance video showing multiple incidents of the suspect bringing females in various intoxicated states to the Mahtomedi apartment over the prior weeks.
Investigators identified Billy Ray Wiley as the suspect who would transport the juvenile females to an apartment owned by Michael Lewis.
Wiley has been charged with one count of s*x trafficking a minor and one count of criminal s*xual conduct in the first degree, and Michael Lewis has been charged with two counts of criminal s*xual conduct in the third degree.
Washington County Sheriff Dan Starry said, “We are dedicated, along with our local public safety partners, to combat s*x and human trafficking within our communities. We do this by vigorously investigating and charging those who exploit juveniles and adults in Washington County.”
Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson said, "It’s heart breaking to know these men brought a 14-year-old girl into our community and s*xually assaulted her. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family. We are prosecuting this case to the further extent of the law. Our human trafficking taskforce is located here in Washington County to ensure that we continue to be vigilant and keep depraved s*xual predators out of our neighborhoods."
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of being trafficked, call 911. To report a suspected trafficking situation, call the EMHTTF at 61-430-7825.
