The United States Courthouse in Gualo Rai, Saipan.
ASSISTANT U.S. Attorney Albert Flores Jr. informed the federal court that the federal government intends to revoke the permanent resident card of Dong Han, one of the defendants charged following a drug raid on July 1, 2025 at Smile Massage and Bar in Garapan.
Han, along with Yinghua Yang, also known as “Auntie,” was charged with conspiracy to possess more than five grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of an elementary school.
The defendants were arrested during a Homeland Security Investigations task force raid at their establishment, Smile Massage and Bar, where the alleged illegal activity occurred. The business is located within walking distance of Garapan Elementary School.
The indictment against Han and Yang includes forfeiture allegations.
According to HSI-Honolulu, the task force also arrested Zhao Liu for “immigration violations.”
At a detention hearing on July 8, 2025, Flores told Magistrate Judge Heather Kennedy that Han and Yang have Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers.
He said Han holds a green card, “which the [U.S.] government intends to revoke.”
Flores has filed a motion for an order of detention pending trial for both defendants.
Han, represented by attorney Janet King, opposed the motion. Likewise, Yang, represented by attorney Mark Scoggins, opposed the motion. The lawyer said his client has no prior criminal record.
Judge Kennedy found that the prosecution had met its burden by a preponderance of the evidence and ordered the defendants remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.
Attorney Richard Miller, who initially represented Han, has since withdrawn from the case citing a “conflict,” which the court accepted.
In a recent motion, King asked the court to allow her to also withdraw as court-appointed counsel for Han.
She said the withdrawal is necessary due to an “irreconcilable conflict affecting the ability to communicate and proceed with effective representation.”
King stated, “Circumstances have recently arisen that have resulted in a fundamental breakdown in the attorney-client relationship, such that continued representation would not be in the best interest of either the defendant or the administration of justice.”
She said she cannot disclose the specific reasons without breaching attorney-client confidentiality.
Judge Kennedy earlier indicated that Han may be required to pay for his court-appointed representation, based on a submitted affidavit.
As for Zhao Liu, there was no additional court information about him as of Tuesday.
