WARREN (WWJ) -- Six women have been arrested in a sex trafficking bust overnight by the Warren Police Department.
The women, who were allegedly involved in commercialized sex, were living in Sterling Heights and working out of two massage parlors in Warren, said police.
Investigators learned from anonymous tips and online databases that the Green Massage Center on Twelve Mile Road and China Body works on Ryan Road were being operated and licensed by 36-year-old Liqiao Li.
According to Warren PD, Li was allegedly running the two massage parlors as a front to allow her and associates to solicit and commit illicit sexual acts to customers online and in person for additional income.
The Special Investigations Division and Special Operations Unit identified the women, which resulted in a simultaneous sting operation at both businesses as well as a residence in Sterling Heights, believed to be where a majority of the women lived.
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The suspects were found to be from various states, including New York and Florida, but all originally came from China, said officials.
Authorities said some of the women were previously investigated by other agencies in Michigan and other states for similar offenses.
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office charged Li, along with Yuhong Chen, 46, Aihua Zhao, 54, Lili Liu, 32, Dongmei Al, 49 and Xianping Yue, 46.
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According to officials, their offenses include keeping place for purpose of prostitution, accepting earnings of a prostitute, prostitution, aiding & abetting prostitution and use of computer to commit crime.
The penalties range from 90 days to 20 years.
The six women will be arraigned Friday in Warren 37th District Court.