Plea agreement possible in Winfield massage parlor case - nwitimes.com

[mnews]

Lizzie Kaboski


CROWN POINT — Attorneys discussed the possibility of a plea agreement in the case of a Crown Point couple accused of prostitution, sex trafficking and tax evasion at their Winfield massage parlor in 2023.


During a status hearing Thursday for Guan Yu, 46, and Wujiao Liu, 47, defense attorney J. Michael Woods said he and co-counsel Benjamen Murphy are working toward a plea agreement with prosecutors.


"I think we're close to one," Woods said, "but there are a lot of outstanding issues to work out."


Neither the defense nor the prosecution said what those issues are. In April 2024, prosecutors mentioned the possibility of more charges in the case, but none have been filed. A prosecutor's office spokesperson did not respond to request for comment Thursday on whether additional charges are coming.

People are also reading…​

Woods asked Lake Criminal Court Judge Gina Jones to set the case for a hearing July 1 where the parties will either submit a plea or set the case for a jury trial, to which Jones agreed. She said she was reluctant to make any decisions about the case without an interpreter present, which the defense had requested at previous hearings for Yu and Liu. She told the defense to file a motion with the court for an interpreter to ensure they can proceed forward with the case at the next hearing.


"No more continuances," Jones said.


The case had previously been scheduled for trial last August. Yu and Liu face felony charges of promotion of human sexual trafficking, promoting prostitution and failure to remit taxes. Liu is further charged with felony money laundering and battery against a public safety official, Lake Criminal Court records show.


Detectives started an investigation in January 2023 into Jade Massage parlor, 9001 E. 109th Ave. in Winfield, in response to multiple complaints of sexual activity being provided in return for money at the business, according to a probable cause affidavit.


Officials obtained search warrants for Jade Massage parlor, Relax Massage parlor at 1451 Summit St. in Crown Point, Yamato KJ restaurant at 10819 Randolph St. in Winfield, Sakura KJ restaurant at 204 S. Main St. in Crown Point and the couple's home in the 600 block of East 113th Place in Crown Point, the affidavit said. Large amounts of cash were found at the couple's home.


Alleged victims told investigators they found the work through a Chinese phone app. They made money through tips, the affidavit said.


Yu and Liu supposedly showed up to the business every once in awhile to collect the proceeds, according to a victim.


Investigators said they discovered Liu had frequently been going to the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary where she laundered money by purchasing casino chips, cashing some in and taking some with her, the affidavit said.

GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week​

The Region's Garrett Clark pulls up for three on Saturday, April 19 at Indiana University Northwest in Gary.

John J. Watkins



The Region's Garrett Clark guards The Chi's E.J. Berland on Saturday at Indiana University Northwest in Gary.

John J. Watkins



The Region's O'Mari Evans attempts a layup on Saturday at Indiana University Northwest in Gary.

John J. Watkins



The Region's Michael Wellman hits a layup on Saturday at Indiana University Northwest in Gary.

John J. Watkins



Logan Caldwell, 7, makes his way through a tunnel of arms with a new bike. New bikes were given to kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana.

John J. Watkins, The Times



Connor Hodson, 6, and Hannah Crisman make their way through a tunnel of arms with a new bike. New bikes were given to kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana.

John J. Watkins, The Times



Liz Underwood helps 6-year-old Edwin Arroyo from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana try out his new bicycle.

John J. Watkins, The Times



Jay Buckmaster, CEO of the Crossroads YMCA, left, Bill Hanna, and Beth White from the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation chat Wednesday at the Tolleston Opportunity Campus groundbreaking ceremony in Gary.

John J. Watkins, The Times



US. Congressman Frank Mrvan addresses the Tolleston Opportunity Campus groundbreaking ceremony in Gary on Wednesday.

John J. Watkins, The Times



Gary Mayor Eddie Melton and US. Congressman Frank Mrvan chat Wednesday at the Tolleston Opportunity Campus groundbreaking ceremony in Gary.

John J. Watkins



Students in Nicky Jackson's Wrongful Conviction course at Purdue University Northwest present their semester-long research on a 2007 murder case.

Michael Howie, The Times



Erryonne Watts, a senior criminal justice student minoring in psychology and sociology at Purdue University Northwest, shares her semester long research on Linda Stermer's 2007 case Thursday.

Michael Howie, The Times



Student Conservation Association members Joseph Jasaitis (left), Grace Tafolla and Devon Norfleet plant a tree as part of an Arbor Day event at Roxana Park on Friday.

Adrian Martinez-De La Cruz, The Times



East Chicago Central students Melanie Osuna (left), Jonathon Hampton and Leticia Arriaga dig a planting hole as part of a tree-planting event at Roxana Park on Friday.

Adrian Martinez-De La Cruz, The Times



Wheeler's assistant coach Alex Turner has a conference on the mound April 16 at the Steel Yard in Gary.

John J. Watkins, The Times



Wheeler's Nick Bravo can't tag Hebron's Josh Kenda at second on April 16 at the Steel Yard in Gary.

John J. Watkins, The Times


0 Comments

'); var s = document.createElement('script'); s.setAttribute('src', 'https://assets.revcontent.com/master/delivery.js'); document.body.appendChild(s); window.removeEventListener('scroll', throttledRevContent); __tnt.log('Load Rev Content'); } } }, 100); window.addEventListener('scroll', throttledRevContent); }

Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter​

Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.