Chinese Mother and Son in Detroit Metro Charged in Massage-Parlor Human Trafficking Case; Gold Bars and Employee Passports Seized
Michigan Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald announced criminal charges against a Chinese mother and son at a November 10 press conference. Minjie Wu, 54, and her son Ruize Wu, 28, are accused of using massage businesses for human trafficking and commercial sexual activity, facing multiple felony charges involving Novi Natural Health and Massage in the city of Novi and Commerce Massage in Commerce Township.
Each faces one count of conducting a criminal enterprise, one count of human trafficking enterprise resulting in commercial sexual activity, two counts of maintaining a house of prostitution, one count of third-degree money laundering and one count of filing a false tax return; Minjie Wu faces an additional count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Both were charged on November 6 in 52-1 District Court in Novi.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office investigated the case from March 2025 through October 7, 2026. Investigators found that several women had been moved between the two massage businesses and related residences.
During searches, law enforcement also found large amounts of cash, gold bars, jewelry and employee passports.
The charges are allegations only, and neither defendant has been convicted. Members of the Chinese community are reminded that massage and other service businesses must strictly comply with labor and immigration laws, and that suspected exploitative employment practices can be reported to law enforcement.
Source: Oakland County Prosecutor's Office
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 底特律市中心市政建筑群。 / Downtown Detroit municipal buildings.
