Ukraine fugitive to face servitude charge in Mich.

NEW YORK – A fugitive charged with forcing Eastern European women to become exotic dancers is set to travel from New York to Michigan to face charges.

Prosecutors say Veniamin Gonikman agreed to the transfer Friday during a brief court appearance in New York. He was flown into the city Thursday night following his capture in Ukraine.

A 2005 indictment accuses Gonikman of using a Detroit business called Beauty Search Inc. as a front to lure women into servitude. Federal authorities say he used threats to force the women to turn over more than $1 million in earnings.

The 55-year-old Gonikman faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Gonikman's New York attorney did not immediately respond to a phone message left Friday.