A 57-year-old Livonia man, Paul Richard Katterman II, has been indicted on multiple charges relating to his complicity in a human trafficking ring allegedly orchestrated by his wife, Zixuan Wan. As reported by ClickOnDetroit, the charges against Katterman include two counts of human trafficking, keeping a house of prostitution, conducting a criminal enterprise, and failure to file taxes.
Authorities assert that Katterman and Wan ran their illicit operation via massage parlors in the areas of Commerce Township, Farmington Hills, and Westland, and FOX 2 Detroit detailed that the victims, four immigrant women from China, were allegedly kept as virtual prisoners working long hours with little remuneration; moreover, these women, who do not speak English, were purportedly compelled to engage in sex work. During the investigation, Farmington Hills Police and the Oakland County Sheriff's Office worked hand-in-hand, and it was revealed a safety deposit box connected to the suspects held over $140,000 in currency.
According to MidMichiganNow, Katterman's indictment encompasses human trafficking that resulted in commercial sexual activity, money laundering – 2nd degree, and other crimes with penalties that can extend up to 20 years in prison for criminal enterprise conduct. He was apprehended by Farmington Hills Police yesterday. Zixuan Wan, his wife, already facing her own legal battles since March, has currently been charged with conducting a criminal enterprise, money laundering, and failure to file taxes as well.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald told FOX 2 Detroit, "Trafficking has become a sophisticated criminal enterprise that generates huge cash profits for the criminals who run them. We must use every available tool and resource to free victims, prosecute traffickers, and seize their ill-gotten money."
