Chinese national charged as part of human trafficking ring using massage parlors - FOX 2 Detroit

[FOX 2 Detroit]

FOX 2 - A 60-year-old Chinese national accused in an extensive international human trafficking ring, was bound over for trial Monday.

Huazi Piao is charged as part of an operation involving illicit massage parlors in Wayne and Macomb counties.

Piao, who was arrested last month, is charged with:

• One count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony;
• One count of Conspiracy to Commit a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony;
• One count of Accepting Earnings from Prostitution, a 20-year felony;
• One count of Money Laundering, a 10-year felony;
• Two counts of Keeping a House of Prostitution, 5-year felonies.

The charges follow an investigation launched in the summer of last year into an alleged international human trafficking ring.

"Far too many in our communities fall victim to human trafficking and endure trauma that leaves lasting scars," said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. "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 will next appear in the 3rd Circuit Court on January 13, 2025.

Between seven and nine women of Chinese and Korean nationalities were freed from the alleged operation, involving the parlors located in St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights and Detroit.

Others connected to the operation facing charges include Jingyu Jin, a 45-year-old Chinese National and Ming Li, a 59-year-old undocumented immigrant and American citizen Jon Villasurda, 60-year-old Clinton Township man alleged to have provided transport for women between airports and other parlors.

The four massage parlor locations were:

• 111 Healing Studio in St. Clair Shores, on Harper near 12 Mile Rd.
• AM Healing Studio in Sterling Heights, near the intersection of Metro Parkway and Mound.
• Magic Health Spa in Detroit, at 8 Mile Rd and Lahser.
• 8 Star in Detroit, on 8 Mile near I-75.

Crime and Public SafetyDetroitSt. Clair ShoresSterling Heights