Mount Clemens, MI – On 12/13/2023, following a yearlong investigation, Sheriff’s Enforcement Team (SET) Detectives executed nine search warrants across Metro Detroit, covering three counties and 6 specific municipalities, for an alleged prostitution/ human trafficking investigation.
The investigation revealed online sexual advertisements posted for specific establishments with female workers being encouraged to solicit sexual acts to customers. Additionally, the female workers at these establishments were primarily Asian with no means of transportation and no place to live, often sleeping at the establishments.
Furthermore, the workers did not earn an hourly rate and would only get paid based off their services and tips. These workers appeared rotate establishments approximately every 45 day or sooner if they did not provide enough money for the spa, often traveling back and forth across state lines to Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Illegal proceeds from these establishments were being used at a casino in Detroit. It is believed this method was used to hide money. Additionally, money from these establishments was sent overseas to China.
Investigators identified several persons of interest that provided transport, operated, and maintained these illegal prostitution establishments. As a result, arrest warrants were secured for the following three suspects:
- Suspect 1
Lori Cai, 31-year-old, female, from Troy, MI
Charges - Prostitution/ Keeping house of ill fame, 5-year felony
Currently not in custody – felony warrant in LEIN
- Suspect 2
Shuying Ding, 41-year-old, female, Appleton, WI
Charges - Prostitution/ Keeping house of ill fame, 5-year felony
Currently not in custody- felony warrant in LEIN
- Suspect 3
Xiaohong Ban, 52-year-old, female, Chicago, Ill.
Charges - Prostitution/ Keeping house of ill fame, 5-year felony
Taken into custody 12/13/2023, lodged at the Macomb County Jail
Arraigned - $10,000 personal bond with tether
Furthermore, the multi-jurisdictional warrant execution included five Asian spa's, two residential locations, and two hotel/casino rooms.
These locations included:
- Seven Day Spa - 289 Southbound Gratiot, Mt. Clemens, MI
- Miracle Massage - 31044 Utica Rd, Fraser, MI
- Day Spa Asian Massage - 46697 Van Dyke, Shelby Township, MI
- Seven Mile Spa - 28917 West 7 Mile, Livonia, MI
- Bodyworks Massage - 9138 Middlebelt, Livonia, MI
- One residence – Troy, MI
- One residence – Livonia, MI
- Two hotel rooms - MGM Casino in Detroit, MI
- FBI - Macomb County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force
As a result of the search warrants, a total of nine individuals (7 additional females & 1 male) were detained. Three individuals (2 females and 1 male) were turned over to Border Patrol for an overstay on their visas.
Additionally, five females were released pending misdemeanor charges.
Representatives from Turning Point were on site and provided resources for those individuals in need of support. Multiple women sought assistance from Turning Point and were provided with safe place to stay.
Approximately $35,000.00 in U.S currency and $6,700.00 in Canadian currency was seized, along with 22 cell phones, 1 laptop, and 1 tablet. Investigators are currently in the process of reviewing these electronic devices.
The MCSO commends the following agencies/investigative units for their outstanding assistance with this case:
- FBI - Oakland County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force
- Livonia Police Intelligence Bureau
- Border Patrol
- U.S Customs
- Shelby Twp. Special Investigations Unit (SIU)
- Clinton Twp. Special Investigations Unit (SIU)
- Troy Directive Patrol Unit
- Fraser DPS Detective Bureau
- Michigan State Police Gaming Division
- Macomb Area Computer Enforcement (MACE)
- MCSO Detective Bureau
- Turning Point
This investigation is still ongoing.
