Maumee Police Investigation contributes to human trafficking ring bust in Michigan

MAUMEE, Ohio (WTVG) – An investigation and raid into an alleged Maumee brothel has contributed to the takedown of an international human trafficking ring in Michigan.

“This operation has put an end to a significant human trafficking ring as large as any that we’ve uncovered here in the state of Michigan,” said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Nessel credited Maumee Police with starting one of two investigations that led to the major bust. Three people were arrested and charged as part of that bust and an additional two others were charged but not yet arrested.

The three people listed below were arrested and charged for their role in the human trafficking ring.

Jing Jin (the alleged head of the trafficking ring):

Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony;
Conspiracy to Commit Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony;
Accepting Earnings from Prostitution, a 20-year felony;
Transportation for the purposes of Prostitution, a 20-year felony;
Money Laundering, a 10-year felony; and
Keeping a House of Prostitution, a 5-year felony.

Huazi Piao:

Conducting a Criminal Enterprise;
Conspiracy to Commit a Criminal Enterprise;
Accepting Earnings from Prostitution;
Money Laundering; and
2 counts of Keeping a House of Prostitution.

Jon Villasurda (Michigan resident/American citizen):

Conducting a Criminal Enterprise;
Conspiracy to Commit Conducting a Criminal Enterprise; and
Transportation in service of Prostitution.

Charges were filed against the following two but they have not been arrested.

Oumar Lougue (non-citizen from West Africa):

Conducting a Criminal Enterprise;
Conspiracy to Commit Conducting a Criminal Enterprise;
Accepting Earnings from Prostitution; and
Keeping a House of Prostitution.

Ming Li (undocumented immigrant):

Conducting a Criminal Enterprise;
Conspiracy to commit a Criminal Enterprise; and
2 counts of Keeping a House of Prostitution.

“This investigation began as two separate cases,” said Nessel. “The second investigation began with Michigan State Police assisting the Maumee Police Department in Ohio, and that led to the discovery of numerous illicit massage parlors in southeast Michigan.”

Nessel alleges the criminal enterprise flew in women from China and Korea, distributed them among various brothels and washed their earnings through extensive gameplay at numerous Detroit Casinos. The efforts of the multiple law enforcement agencies culminated in the arrests of four individuals.

“It’s nothing I’ve ever experienced before in this job,” said Maumee Police Department Detective Cody Corado. “Seeing what all our resources complied together can do in order to, you know, help these victims and hold those accountable that are victimizing these people.”

Corado led Maumee’s investigation into 1655 Healing Studio. He says it began with a tip from Toledo Police about comments posted in an online forum, two of which, read:

“Emily is back at 1655. Her towel massage was great and her performance was excellent as usual. I enjoyed her body and I left a very happy man.”
“Her English was limited but her skills were not. She knew what I wanted and was very cooperative. I left a happy camper.”

“At that point we immediately started doing our surveillance,” said Corado.

Their surveillance discovered girls who were flown in from China and Korea and dropped off in the middle of the night by a man who Maumee Police say is 70-year-old Michael Navoy, of Michigan. Navoy is charged with two counts of human trafficking, accepting earnings of prostitution, using computers to commit a crime and keeping a house of prostitution. He is currently being held in Wayne County on a $1 million bond.

“We executed a search warrant at both residencies up in Michigan,” said Corado. “He was running his own solicit business out of one of his homes and he admitted to dropping off and picking up girls.”

During Maumee’s surveillance, those girls never left the building.

“They literally live it 24-7. They live in the businesses,” said Corado. “They don’t really have much exposure to the outside world. So, it’s hard to get out of it once you get in it.”

Corado tells 13 Action News just how it all happens.

“They are being promised a better life, and so these traffickers offer them some type of employment,” said Corado. “In our case, it’s the sex trade, but they don’t realize that until they get here. They’re just told, ‘You come work for me. You pay off the money that you owe me, and once you’re paid off, you can live in America and have a better life.’ What ultimately happens is they don’t make payments on time. If you don’t make your payments, you get interest on top of everything and then they just can’t keep up. So, they got to keep working in the trade.”

Two women in Maumee, and several more in Michigan, were freed as a result of these investigations.

“This is not a victimless crime. It’s very much a crime that involves people who are victims of some of the most horrendous behavior you can imagine,” said Nessel. “These are folks that are kept in these buildings. They’re not allowed to leave. This is their entire life and it’s a terrible way to live.”

While the takedown of this trafficking ring was significant, Nessel said she believes it’s a small part of a much larger, nationwide operation.

“Unfortunately, human trafficking is thriving and growing,” said Nessel, adding that it’s thriving because of people in our communities. “These illicit massage parlors, they’re only profitable because they have customers.”

“If you are frequenting an illicit massage parlor, you are creating more victims.”

Maumee Police are currently sorting through evidence collected during the raid on Navoy’s home and hope to charge him with human trafficking here in Ohio.

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