Law enforcement officers give preliminary testimony in court
IMLAY CITY — Police Chief Brett Selby reports that the case against an Imlay City couple charged with operating two houses of prostitution in early August, has been adjourned until next year.
Selby said that on Wednesday, Nov. 16, Lapeer County Circuit Court Judge Laura Barnard heard preliminary testimony from law enforcement officers investigating the case.
After hearing the preliminary testimony, Barnard adjourned the case until Feb. 6, 2023.
On Aug. 3, 2022, officers from various law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant at Coco’s Asian Massage at 542 N. Cedar St. in Imlay City, where they arrested Anthony Juip, 72, and his wife, Qing Feng Xu, 58.
Four Chinese women employed by Juip and Xu were also discovered at the location.
The women had been living in Imlay City on work visas and were detained and immediately offered victim assistance.
The couple was charged with three felony counts, including one count of conducting a criminal enterprise, 20-year felony; and two counts of keeping a house of prostitution, a five-year felony.
Following the arrests, Selby reported that law enforcement officers, posing as customers, gained access to both massage parlors, which were alleged to have been fronts for prostitution and possible human trafficking.
Tom Wearing started at the Tri-City Times in 1989, covering the Village of Capac as a beat reporter. He later served stints as assistant editor and editor. Today, he covers Imlay City and Almont as a staff writer. He enjoys music and plays drums and sings with various musical groups in the Detroit Metropolitan area.
