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Human trafficking, prostitution trial delayed until 2023 | Leader-Telegram

The 2019 human trafficking and prostitution criminal case that shut down two Eau Claire massage businesses won't be resolved until at least 2023.


Dongmei L. Greer's Aug. 16-18 trial was postponed on Wednesday by Eau Claire County Judge Sarah Harless after prosecutors indicated a witness would not be available for the August trial dates.


Harless rescheduled the trial for Feb. 13-15.


Greer, 58, of Wausau, is charged with felony counts of human trafficking and benefitting from human trafficking, and two felony counts of keeping a place of prostitution.


Eau Claire police say Greer was the license holder for two former businesses: Lucky Massage at 1041 N. Hastings Way and Angel Massage at 1219 Menomonie St.


As she awaits her 2023 trial, Greer remains on a $10,000 cash bail.


As conditions of bail, Greer cannot have contact with any of the employees from the former massage businesses, or operate or manage any place that provides massage services.


Greer was also required to turn her passport in to authorities while her criminal case is pending. She is allowed to travel to Minnesota to seek employment.


According to the criminal complaint and Eau Claire police:


In April 2018, a man told police a female masseuse at Angel Massage attempted to engage in sexual contact with him during a massage. The man said he was getting massages for back and tension issues and was not interested in service that involved sexual contact.


The man was also concerned that there was human trafficking going on at the business.


In February 2019, an anonymous caller expressed concerns to police about losing business because Angel Massage employees were performing unspecified sex acts with their clients.


A man told police in March 2019 he had gone to Angel Massage 12 times over the past six months and that female employees performed sex acts on him. Every time he went there, he said, there were different Chinese women working.


The man said the massages would cost from $100 to $140. He admitted to spending $1,200 at the massage parlor over a six-month period.


The last time he went to the massage parlor in March 2019, the man said, a female employee told him “don't tell anyone about this.”


Three other men stepped forward and expressed to police similar experiences at both Angel Massage and Lucky Massage. One of the men said it appeared that one or more of the employees may have been living at one of the businesses.


Police then began a three-month investigation into the two massage businesses. They found 223 customers visited Angel Massage during a one-month period and only one customer was female.


Several Asian women were seen entering and exiting Greer's Eau Claire apartment. Police searched the apartment and found five beds in the two-bedroom apartment.


Two of Greer's employees told police they lived with Greer and occasionally also stayed at one of the massage businesses. They both denied offering any sexual services to clients.


A third employee told police three to five women stay at Greer's apartment at night.


Authorities executed search warrants at both massage businesses and Greer's apartment and recovered more than $13,000 in cash.


If convicted of the four felony charges, Greer could be sentenced to up to 36 years in prison.

 

This “Eyes on Trafficking” story is reprinted from its original location.

ABOUT

PBJ Learning is a leading provider of online human trafficking training, focusing on and prevention education. Their interactive Human Trafficking Essentials is used worldwide to educate professionals and individuals how to recognize human trafficking and how to respond to potential victims. Learn on any web browser (even your mobile phone) at any time.

More stories like this can be found in your PBJ Learning Knowledge Vault.

 

EYES ON TRAFFICKING

This “Eyes on Trafficking” story is reprinted from its original online location.

ABOUT PBJ LEARNING

PBJ Learning is a leading provider of online human trafficking training, focusing on awareness and prevention education. Their interactive Human Trafficking Essentials online course is used worldwide to educate professionals and individuals how to recognize human trafficking and how to respond to potential victims. Learn on any web browser (even your mobile phone) at any time.

More stories like this can be found in your PBJ Learning Knowledge Vault.