Mother and son face felony charges in Novi massage trafficking case
Prosecutors allege the pair ran a criminal enterprise from two massage shops in Oakland County, moving women between the businesses and two homes.
By Sakura Ellis ·
For the past year and a half, a massage business in a Novi shopping plaza operated around the clock, according to a nearby employee. That routine ended last week when police executed a warrant and arrested the owner and her son, who are now facing multiple felony charges for human trafficking.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald announced that Minjie Wu, 54, and her son Ruize Wu, 28, are charged with running a criminal enterprise connected to Novi Natural and Health Massage and Commerce Massage. The investigation covers the period from March 2025 through October 2026. McDonald stated that the businesses conducted commercial sex acts, a practice that places the operations in a high-traffic retail area next to an ice cream shop and a dry cleaner.
Investigators allege the pair moved women between the two massage locations and two separate homes in Novi. During the search, officers seized gold bars, jewelry, cash, and the passports of the workers. McDonald noted that the case is part of a larger county effort to target illicit massage businesses. She warned that customers who pay for these acts can also face criminal prosecution.
A woman who works near the Novi location said she noticed unusual activity within weeks of starting her job. She described the business as being open every day, from morning through night, regardless of the season. After law enforcement closed the business, she said she felt a sense of relief and expressed concern for the welfare of the women who had worked there.
The arrests have shaken regulars at the shopping plaza. Momoe Yamakawa, a frequent visitor, said the family often brings children to the area, which contains several play spots. She described the discovery of the trafficking operation as disgusting given the location's proximity to family-friendly businesses.
The defendants appeared in court last week. They are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 18 to face the allegations.
McDonald emphasized that the visibility of the businesses made the criminal activity plain to see. She said the individuals involved in paying for the services are not immune from the law.
