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PrintOne of the owners and operators of the VIP Sauna may face deportation after pleading guilty to second-degree promoting prostitution.
Ok Hee Kim, 46, was sentenced to five years of supervised probation Thursday after pleading guilty to second-degree promoting prostitution in August stemming from her role in running the Columbia massage parlor. Her husband, 46-year-old Semsettin Gogebakan, received five years of supervised probation in Boone County Circuit Court on Monday, after pleading guilty to second-degree promoting prostitution. Kim’s sentencing hearing was continued into Thursday due to interpretation difficulties.
The couple was arrested by Boone County Sheriff’s deputies on suspicion of promoting prostitution on Dec. 10, 2005, at the VIP Sauna, 5210 N. Highway 763.
Kim was arrested by Boone County Court Services officers on the immigration detainer issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after her sentencing Thursday and was being held in Boone County Jail without bond Friday afternoon.
Her attorney, Jeff Kays, declined to comment.
The Missourian reported in December 2005 that Kim is an immigrant from South Korea. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement spokesman Carl Rusnok said Kim is a permanent resident of the United States but that her conviction may lead to her being deported.
Columbia immigration attorney Stephen Blower said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement may have issued the detainer because the crime Kim pleaded guilty to may have serious immigration consequences.
Blower said Immigration and Customs Enforcement typically serves detainees a notice to appear in front of an immigration judge within three business days.
“She’s got a long road ahead of her,” Blower said.
The VIP Sauna’s telephone was disconnected when the Missourian called late Friday. The business appeared to be closed.
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