Livonia man accused of trafficking women through illicit massage parlors in Metro Detroit - Observer and Eccentric Newspapers

[Susan Bromley]

AI-assisted summary

Paul Katterman II, husband of Zixuan Wan, was arrested on charges related to human trafficking and prostitution.Katterman faces charges including human trafficking, keeping a house of prostitution, and conducting criminal enterprises.The charges against Wan have been amended to include conducting a criminal enterprise, money laundering, and failure to file taxes.
FARMINGTON HILLS — The husband of Zixuan Wan, the Livonia woman charged with human trafficking in March, will now face several of the same charges himself.

Paul Richard Katterman II, 57, of Livonia, was arrested April 22, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a press release.He is expected to be arraigned April 23 in front of 47th District Court Judge Marla Parker on charges of human trafficking enterprise resulting in commercial sexual activity; human trafficking enterprise; keeping a house of prostitution; conducting criminal enterprises; and failure to file taxes.

His arraignment will occur around the same time as his wife Zixuan Wan's preliminary examination.

Bradley Friedman, defense attorney for both Wan and Katterman, said Katterman was arrested April 22 in a "snakish, sneaky way," while going to pick up his children from school.

"They've known about this case for how long now?" asked Friedman. "It seems like dirty pool, arresting him the day before the preliminary exam on his wife. It's a way to delay the proceedings because they have no case. It's obnoxious."

McDonald said in the release that Katterman "is alleged to have participated in the operation of human trafficking enterprise with his wife, Zixuan Wan, through a series of illicit massage parlors where trafficked women were allegedly made to live and work long hours for little to no pay."

Police conducted search warrants on March 5 at massage parlors in Farmington Hills, Westland and Commerce Township as well as Wan's Livonia home because of an investigation that began in November. During the search, police said they found "several human trafficking survivors" residing within the massage businesses.Wan was initially charged with human trafficking enterprise resulting in commercial sexual activity, human trafficking enterprise, and keeping a house of prostitution.McDonald said the charges against Wan have now been amended to include conducting a criminal enterprise; money laundering – second degree;, and failure to file taxes.

“Trafficking has become a sophisticated criminal enterprise that generates huge cash profits for the criminals who run them," McDonald said. "We must use every available tool and resource to free victims, prosecute traffickers, and seize their ill-gotten money. The Farmington Hills Police, in cooperation with the Human Trafficking Task Force and the Prosecutor’s Office, has continued to work this investigation and gather the evidence that allowed us to bring these additional charges. We will not stop.”

Farmington Hills Police Chief John Piggot said he was pleased that the investigation resulted in the additional charges against Wan and the arrest of Katterman, who is also now facing charges.

“These crimes are some of the most complicated incidents to investigate and charge," Piggot said. "However, through the dedication and thoroughness of our detectives, we believe that our investigation will provide some closure for the survivors and an opportunity for them to be heard by the criminal justice system.”

If found guilty, the couple faces the possibility of decades in prison and more than $100,000 in fines. Conducting criminal enterprises is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and the other charges also come with possible sentences of 10-15 years behind bars.

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Contact reporter Susan Bromley at [email protected] or 517-281-2412.