Six arrested in human trafficking case

MACOMB COUNTY — Six people were arrested across Macomb County on May 29 as part of an alleged human trafficking operation.

Those arrested included Chengai Jin, 54, and Chun Jin, 48, of Macomb Township; Zhanghuan Peng, 50, of Utica; and Jie Liang, 61, of Eastpointe. Search warrants were executed at two homes, one in Macomb Township and one in Shelby Township, and at two businesses: 25 Health Spa in Shelby Township, and Healing Plus Spa in Sterling Heights.

Chengai Jin, Chun Jin and Peng were each charged with four felonies related to the alleged operation of a house of prostitution and face up to 20 years in prison. Bonds were set at $100,000 cash or surety. They were required to surrender their passports, not to return to the involved businesses and not contact their co-defendants.

They were scheduled to be back in court for probable cause hearings at 9 a.m. on June 12 at the 41-A District Court in Shelby Township before Judge Douglas Shepherd. No defense attorneys were listed for them in court records.

Liang was charged with keeping a house of prostitution, a five-year felony. Bond was set at $5,000. A probable cause hearing was scheduled to be conducted by video at 1 p.m. on June 13 with Judge Annemarie Lepore of the 41-A District Court in Sterling Heights. Marc Hart, Liang’s attorney, declined to comment when contacted.

According to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, the alleged prostitution ring has been under investigation since February 2024. Arrests were made by the Sheriff’s Enforcement Team, the Sterling Heights Police Department, United States Customs and Border Protection and the FBI. A press release from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office states six people were arrested on suspected immigration violations.

“I commend the outstanding efforts of the SET team, Sterling Heights PD, Border Patrol and the FBI,” Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said via email. “Their collaborative efforts and effective work concluded in the arrests of human traffickers in Macomb County.”