Written by Bay City News:
A 49-year-old San Bruno and South San Francisco man appeared in court Wednesday following his arrest last week when state officials busted a brothel ring based in Sacramento and the Bay Area, according to the San Mateo County chief deputy district attorney.
Zhi Liu was arrested on human trafficking, pandering, and pimping charges last Thursday after a state Department of Justice investigation revealed a Sacramento prostitution ring was using an apartment in San Bruno, according to prosecutors.
The ring was rotating prostitutes through the Bay Area, including through the San Bruno residence run by Liu who allegedly went by "Bob" and his wife, Wei Guo, 51, who used the name, "Coco."
Authorities are still trying to track down Guo, who is wanted on a $100,000 arrest warrant, San Mateo County Chief Deputy District Attorney Karen Guidotti said.
According to prosecutors, the brothel moved from San Bruno to a location in South San Francisco in May.
State investigators took down the brothels in San Mateo County and in Sacramento County, where three others were arrested last week.
In court Wednesday, a friend of the defendant offered a property bond to release Liu, who is being held on $200,000 bail, Guidotti said.
A hearing was held to determine if the property offered for bail was involved in any illegal activity, Guidotti said.
She said there was no evidence to prove there was any illicit connections with the property and the bond is expected to go through.
However, Liu has been ordered to not leave the state upon his release.
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