NEWARK, N.J. — Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark led a joint operation with significant support from the New Jersey State Police resulting in four Bergen County individuals charged with operating a series of illicit massage parlors in New Jersey and New York.
Zhejun Piao, 37, a Chinese national; Miyeon Choi, 37, a South Korean national; Shangxian Cui, 36, Chinese national; and Meixiang Jin, 34, of Palisades Park, New Jersey, are charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit interstate travel or transportation in aid of a racketeering enterprise. All four defendants were arrested on Aug. 8 and made their initial appearances at the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in Newark. They were all released.
“Homeland Security Investigations Newark and our law enforcement partners worked relentlessly during the investigative and prosecutorial phases of this case against multiple illicit businesses in New Jersey and New York,” said HSI Newark acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker. “We thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey and law enforcement officers representing over 20 agencies in the region who teamed together to support all facets of this case. As a result, those alleged to have committed these crimes will now be held accountable for their actions. This investigation is yet another reminder that there is simply no place for these types of illicit businesses in our communities and that such business can serve as vehicles for exploitation, foster complaints from local communities, and pose threats to public health and safety.”
According to the investigation, from at least May 2017, the defendants owned, operated and derived money from illicit massage parlors or spas in New Jersey and New York that, as the defendants knew, had been offering sexual services in exchange for money. The New Jersey spas include Coco Spa in Paterson, Gold Spa in Passaic, 785 Spa in Passaic, Bergen Acupressure in Fairview, Queen Spa in Edgewater, Hawaii Spa in Edgewater, Good Day Spa in East Brunswick and Spa Wellness in Toms River. The New York spa includes New Soothing Day Spa in New Rochelle.
Each of the spas allegedly advertised sexual services on various online platforms by posting images of the female sex workers and describing the sexual services offered. Law enforcement obtained evidence demonstrating each of the defendants’ personal knowledge of, and involvement in, the illegal operation. For example, emails obtained by law enforcement show that Choi received what appear to be draft advertisements for the spas, and other emails and records show Choi and Piao transferred cryptocurrency to an online advertisement company. Law enforcement also observed Cui transport supplies, including mouthwash and paper towels, to the spas, make suspected cash pickups, and deposit over $50,000 of cash with Jin into a bank account.
Walker credited many law enforcement agencies who supported the investigation. They include the New Jersey State Police, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, the Passaic County Sheriff, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, the Bergen County Sheriff, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the Edgewater Police Department, the Fairview Police Department, the Paterson Police Department, the East Brunswick Police Department, the South Toms River Police Department, the Edison Police Department, the Palisades Park Police Department and the Newark District U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey. The New York law enforcement agencies include the New York State Police, the New Rochelle Police Department and the Westchester District U.S. Attorney’s Office. Federal law enforcement agencies include HSI New York, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Federal Air Marshals.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSINewark to learn more about HSI’s global missions and operations.