A Lawrence woman originally arrested on suspicion of human trafficking will be released from jail into the custody of immigration officials after a judge on Monday sentenced her to time served.

Guihong Xiao, 44, was sentenced Monday morning to a total of 14 months in prison and six months in jail for two felony counts of promoting the sale of sexual relations and one misdemeanor count of selling sexual relations.

Because Xiao has been an inmate in the Douglas County Jail for more than 14 months, Douglas County District Court Judge Kay Huff said “she is essentially sentenced to time served.”

Xiao pleaded no contest to the charges on May 20. Originally she faced two felony counts of aggravated human trafficking, one felony count of promoting the sale of sexual relations and one misdemeanor count of selling sexual relations.

Guihong Xiao

Chen Li

The original charges were filed after one reluctant witness came forward with information, prosecutor Mark Simpson said on Monday. That person has since relocated to China, which affected the case.

Xiao, Simpson said, profited by selling sex acts from women who felt “trapped” and did not speak English. He called Xiao’s business, Spring Massage, a “blight” on the area. Xiao was arrested alongside Chen Li, 51, in April 2015 after police searched the business at 600 Lawrence Ave.

Despite the reduced charges, the prosecution indicated it was satisfied with the case’s disposition because “we believe it will impact Ms. Xiao’s immigration status, her ability to remain in the country,” Simpson said.

A criminal complaint filed in Douglas County District Court states that sexual favors were sold or offered for sale at the business, which Xiao knowingly managed.

Li, who is a Chinese citizen illegally in the U.S., pleaded no contest in November 2015 to one count of attempted human trafficking and one count of promoting the sale of sexual relations. He was sentenced to serve more than three years in prison and may face deportation after serving his sentence.

Xiao, also a Chinese citizen in the U.S. illegally, also faces deportation.

In 2013, both Li and Xiao pleaded no contest to misdemeanor counts of promoting prostitution after police raided two massage parlors in Bonner Springs. They were found guilty of the crimes and ordered to pay a $600 fine and court costs but served no jail time.