Two Macomb County spas operated human trafficking ring, sheriff says

(CBS DETROIT) – The Macomb County Sheriff's Office says 12 people were arrested on Wednesday in connection with a human trafficking case.

Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said the investigation into the human trafficking ring began in February 2024.

Six of those arrested were in the United States illegally, Wickersham said.

“These were six individuals – four women and two men – who were arrested by Customs and Border Patrol due to their illegal status in the country,” Wickersham said.

Spa 25 in Shelby Township and Healing Plus Spa in Sterling Heights were both raided Wednesday.

Additionally, three homes – two in Shelby Township and one in Warren – were searched. Initially, investigators were thought to be looking at a prostitution ring until they dug deeper and discovered it was much worse.

“The people who work in these massage parlors don't really have a choice; they come to the country. They have no means of transportation, no education; they live in deplorable conditions and go from work to home .where individuals are monitoring them, and what we're saying is basically keep them locked up, and they have no freedom,” Wickersham said.

Investigators confiscated $25,361 in cash, high-end jewelry and a small amount of cocaine.

“I commend the exceptional efforts of the SET Team, Sterling Heights Police, Border Patrol and the FBI,” Wickersham said. “Their collaborative efforts and effective work resulted in the arrest of human traffickers in Macomb County.”

The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office charged the following seven people who were arrested during the arrest:

Chun Jin, 48, of Macomb, is charged with:

• Prostitution/Pandering, a 20-year misdemeanor
• Prostitution/acceptance of winnings, a 20-year felony
• Keeping a house of prostitution, a five-year crime
• Conspiracy to prostitute/keep a house of prostitution, a five-year felony
• Aiding and abetting, a 93-day misdemeanor
• Disorderly loitering at the House of Ill Fame, a 90-day misdemeanor

Chengai Jin, 54, of Macomb and husband of Chun Jin, is charged with:

• Prostitution/acceptance of winnings, a 20-year felony
• Prostitution/Pandering, a 20-year misdemeanor
• Keeping a house of prostitution, a five-year crime
• Conspiracy to prostitute/keep a house of prostitution, a five-year felony
• Disorderly loitering at the House of Ill Fame, a 90-day misdemeanor

Jorge Ruiz-Diaz, 22, of Utica, was charged with possession of a controlled substance less than 25 grams, a four-year misdemeanor.

Yeong Sil Kim, 63, of Utica, was charged with boarding and solicitation of prostitution, a 93-day misdemeanor, and disorderly loitering in a house of disrepute, a 90-day misdemeanor.

Zhanghuan Peng, 50, of Utica, was charged with:

• Transporting a person for the purpose of prostitution, a 20-year felony
• Prostitution/acceptance of winnings, a 20-year felony
• Keeping a house of prostitution, a five-year crime
• Conspiracy to prostitute/keep a house of prostitution, a five-year felony
• Aiding and abetting, a 93-day misdemeanor

Jie Liang, 61, of Eastpointe, was charged with keeping a house of prostitution, a five-year felony, and Lin Jun Zhou, 49, of Utica, was charged with accosting and soliciting prostitution, a 93-day misdemeanor.

“Charging individuals involved in human trafficking is not just about enforcing the law; it is also about dismantling networks that exploit and dehumanize innocent people. Thank you to all law enforcement who worked together to stop this trafficking ring,” said the Macomb County Prosecutor. Peter J. Lucido.