(WWJ) — A Chinese national, one of several people arrested in Metro Detroit last month in connection with a human trafficking and prostitution ring, has been ordered to stand trial.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said Tuesday 60-year-old Huazi Piao has been bound over to stand trial in the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County on numerous charges, including conducting a criminal enterprise and keeping a house of prostitution.
The AG’s office says Piao allegedly ran commercial sex operations at multiple illicit massage parlors in Wayne County.
The charges follow an 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, the Michigan State Police, and the St. Clair Shores Police Department.
Announcing the charges Friday, Dec. 6, Nessel said the alleged trafficking ring is “as large as any we’ve uncovered in the State of Michigan.”
In total, five people were arrested on Dec. 6 as authorities raided four purported massage parlors: Magic Health Spa and 8 Star — both on 8 Mile Road in Detroit — as well as 111 Healing Studio on Harper in St. Clair Shores and AM Healing Studio near Metro Parkway and Mound in Sterling Heights.
The AG’s office said at the time seven to nine women, of Chinese and Korean origin, were liberated from the trafficking ring following the raids.
Piao has been charged with two counts of keeping a house of prostitution (five-year felonies), along with one count each of money laundering (a 10-year felony), conducting a criminal enterprise, conspiracy to commit a criminal enterprise and accepting earnings from prostitution, all 20-year felonies.
“Far too many in our communities fall victim to human trafficking and endure trauma that leaves lasting scars,” Nessel said in a press release Tuesday. “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’s next court date has been scheduled for Monday, Jan. 13.
Several other non-US-citizens, as well as a man from Clinton Township, were all arrested in December in connection with the alleged trafficking ring, but authorities have not provided updates on their court proceedings.