Chinese national ordered to stand trial in illicit massage parlor takedown - The Macomb Daily

[Mitch Hotts]

A Chinese national woman accused of being part of a human trafficking ring in Macomb and Wayne counties has been ordered to stand trial in Detroit, the state’s Attorney General said Tuesday.

Huazi Piao, 60, was bound over to stand trial in Wayne County Circuit Court on human trafficking charges related to commercial sex operations at illicit massage parlors in Wayne County.

She is one of several defendants arrested Dec. 6 during police raids at alleged illicit massage parlors in Macomb and Wayne counties in connection with an international human trafficking ring. State officials said they also liberated between seven and nine women in the process.

“Far too many in our communities fall victim to human trafficking and endure trauma that leaves lasting scars,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “I would like to thank the prosecutors in my office and our many law enforcement partners whose efforts led to the liberation of several women from the horrors they endured, and I look forward to Ms. Piao standing trial for her alleged crimes.”

Piao is charged with one count of conducting a criminal enterprise, a 20-year felony; conspiracy to commit a criminal enterprise, a 20-year felony; accepting earnings from prostitution, a 20-year felony; money laundering, a 10-year felony; and two counts of keeping a house of prostitution, 5-year felonies.

Her next court date is on Jan. 13.

The charges follow an extensive investigation launched in the summer of 2024 into an alleged international human trafficking ring involving multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, Michigan State Police, and the St. Clair Shores Police Department.

Authorities served search warrants at four locations locations including 111 Healing Studios in St. Clair Shores, Healing Studio in Sterling Heights, Magic Health Spa in Detroit, and Eight Star Spa in Detroit. In addition, residences in Detroit and Clinton Township were searched, Nessel said.

Police also arrested Jingyu Jin, 45, a Chinese woman allegedly in charge of the trafficking ring, on Friday morning after she arrived in Michigan. Nessel said her primary residence is in Flushing, New York. Jin is charged with multiple counts, including conducting a criminal enterprise and conspiracy to commit conducting a criminal enterprise.

Another suspect arrested is Jon Villasurda of Clinton Township who allegedly transported the victims between airports and parlors. They both face several charges, including conducting a criminal enterprise and conspiracy to commit conducting a criminal enterprise.

More details on the state human trafficking initiative can be found at the Attorney General’s website, michigan.gov/ag. Victims of human trafficking or those who may know a victim can contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-373-7888 or text 233733; it is a national, toll-free hotline answers calls, responds to texts, and engages chats around the clock. All calls are confidential.

Originally Published: January 7, 2025 at 3:20 PM EST