4 Charged In Prostitution Investigation At Passaic Co. Spas: Sheriff - MSN

[Michelle Rotuno-Johnson]

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — Undercover detectives were propositioned for sex at two Passaic County spa locations during a prostitution investigation this week, officials said.


Sheriff Thomas Adamo said that concerned citizens tipped officials off to possible prostitution activities at The New Paterson Massage & Coco Healthy Spa in Paterson and The Eastern Cozy Spa in Woodland Park.

The Sheriff's Office Bureau of Narcotics, Woodland Park Police, and special agents from Homeland Security Investigations worked together in the investigation, Adamo said. Detectives and special agents monitored the two businesses on Tuesday, Dec. 3 to see if the allegations warranted further action.

When detectives later went into the two establishments, they reported that staff had offered them "sexual acts," Adamo said. Investigators then went into the spas and arrested two women in each location on the charge of promoting prostitution.

Officials also seized money that they believe are the proceeds from prostitution activities, Adamo said: $4,343 at the New Paterson Massage & Coco Healthy Spa, and $5,214 at The Eastern Cozy Spa.

“Enforcement of quality of life issues will be a priority of tenure as Sheriff”, said Adamo, who was elected to the office in November. “I want to commend the Detectives and Special Agents who were involved in this operation.”

The following people were arrested, all of whom have an address in Queens, NY:

• Wei Zhang, 48 (New Paterson Massage & Coco Healthy Spa)
• Jim Yu Berninger, 69 (New Paterson Massage & Coco Healthy Spa)
• Limei He, 41 (Eastern Cozy Spa)
• Yansu Yang, 35 (Eastern Cozy Spa)

The article 4 Charged In Prostitution Investigation At Passaic Co. Spas: Sheriff appeared first on Wayne Patch.