15 Women Arrested, Nine Massage Parlors Shut Down In Prostitution Sting

Authorities arrested 15 women and shut down nine massage parlors in Bensonhurst and Bay Ridge today, as part of a major prostitution and trafficking investigation.

Two women, Xiao-Ling Pan and Sun Han, were charged with promoting prostitution, nine were charged with misdemeanor prostitution, and 10 were charged with providing unlicensed massage services, according to prosecutors.

“We conducted these raids and made these arrests because the good people of Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst are sick and tired of these dens of prostitution, masquerading as legitimate businesses, popping up in our communities,” said District Attorney Thompson in a statement.

The District Attorney’s human trafficking unit began investigating the storefronts in January, after several complaints were made to Community Board 10, Councilman Vincent Gentile, and State Senator Marty Golden that the massage parlors were being used for prostitution purposes. In February, investigators went undercover to investigate.

During today’s bust, police searched the premises, made arrests, and shut down the locations citing 71 building code violations and 20 fire code violations. Those arrested were screened by counselors for signs of human trafficking, and will continue to be evaluated for possible placement in programs, according to prosecutors.

“This approach to addressing human trafficking demonstrates how an array of tools, from law enforcement and beyond, can be effective in not just making a case but solving a problem,” said Elizabeth Glazer, director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.

The following locations have been shut down by the city:

Shut down by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office:

1. Fenny Beauty, 6701 11th Avenue
2. Happy Beauty/Lyn Spa, 7110 20th Avenue
3. On Hung Beauty Center, 7303 18th Avenue
4. Ocean Beauty Spa, 7312 18th Avenue

Shut down by the NYPD:

1. Yan Yan Spa, 7901B 17th Avenue
2. Josomodo Spa “Happy”, 7401 New Utrecht Avenue
3. Yisn Jing Spa, 7422 New Utrecht Avenue
4. A1 Bodywork, 6920A 13th Avenue
5. Kabuki (E&B Spa), 8015 17th Avenue

Last summer, we reported that Councilman Gentile and Senator Golden promised to crack down on the neighborhood’s prostitution problem, and shortly afterwards, 12 local massage parlors were shut down. Calls for stricter laws and more closures followed.

Councilman Gentile praised the District Attorney and the NYPD for their work today:

“I commend District Attorney Ken Thompson, the NYPD and all the agencies involved in this operation,” he said. “Today we are sending a very strong and simple message: we will not stand for illegal activities at illegitimate or unlicensed massage parlors. These establishments are an embarrassment to and a scourge on our community. Thanks to tips and information from local residents, the District Attorney’s Office was able to build a strong case. Indeed, businesses like these have no place in our strong, safe and family oriented community. This is a big victory.”