8 people arrested for human trafficking, prostitution at Utah County massage parlors - ABC 4

[massage]

Utah (ABC4) – Eight people have been arrested after investigators found evidence of human trafficking, prostitution, and money laundering at multiple Utah County massage parlors.

Signs of human trafficking to watch for that could save a life

According to a probable cause statement, the American Fork Police Department received an anonymous online complaint about a new massage parlor in American Fork.

The complaint alleged that this massage parlor had listings online to inform people where they could go to receive “happy ending massages.”

Documents state undercover officers were sent into the massage parlors reported in the complaint, where detectives say they posed as customers of the massage parlors.

Through their investigation, officers say they determined sexual acts were being exchanged for money at the following massage parlors:

-Sunflower Massage (376 East, 60 South, American Fork)

-Relax Wood LLC, ( 204 E 860 South, Orem)

-Magic Massage, (483 W 30 North, American Fork)

-Small Rainbow (250 N Orem Boulevard, Orem)

Documents state investigators also determined that most of the female masseurs who worked at the parlors also appeared to live there.

Human trafficking education to protect and empower

According to a probable cause statement, on Feb. 4, officers arrested the following suspects after serving search warrants at four massage parlors in Orem and American Fork:

-Jun Li, 36, of Orem; 2nd degree felonies: Human trafficking, Money laundering, Pattern of unlawful activity, and Aiding prostitution, a class A misdemeanor and two counts of prostitution class B misdemeanors

-Xiao Ling Wang, 42, of American Fork; 2nd degree felonies: Human trafficking, Money laundering, Pattern of unlawful activity, and Aiding prostitution, a class A misdemeanor, Prostitution, a class B misdemeanor

-Yue Ming, 39, of Orem; Tomney, 44, of American Fork 2nd degree felonies of Money laundering, Pattern of unlawful activity, a second-degree felony and Unlawful/unprofessional conduct, a class A misdemeanor and Prostitution, a class B misdemeanor

-Ju Ying Wang, 56, of American Fork 2nd degree felony Pattern of unlawful activity, a second-degree felony and Two counts of prostitution, a class B misdemeanor

-Joseph Edward Ferreri, 54, of Salina 2nd degree felony Pattern of unlawful activity, a second-degree felony and Aiding prostitution, a class A misdemeanor

10 Human trafficking myths debunked

After serving the search warrants, officers interviewed a victim that worked at one of the massage parlors. Police provided her with aid and she was put in contact with the Asian Aid Society, who attempted to help the victim with hotel rooms, food, and money, a probable cause statement states.

Soon after, investigators involved with the case were listening to jail phone calls that are accessible to law enforcement and heard people in the jail talking about the same victim being transported to Chicago.

Investigators then learned that the victim had told the Asian Aid Society that she wanted to travel to Chicago. The lead investigators believe that the victim was being contacted by members of the human trafficking organization in an attempt to force her back into human trafficking, according to a probable cause statement.

Police then began monitoring the airport to attempt to stop the victims and suspects from traveling to Chicago.

While monitoring the airport on Feb. 6, police said they saw the victim pull up to the airport with two suspects, Jing Wang, 34, and Xiaoxia Liu, 60, both of Chicago.

At the airport, police were able to arrest the two suspects.

A probable cause statement states that detectives found incriminating documents and $40,000 worth of jewelry and other merchandise in their possession

Police say the suspects and victim were also carrying two suitcases, along with iPhones and clothing.

Documents state Wang and Liu are facing charges of human trafficking, money laundering, pattern of unlawful activity, prostitution, and tampering with a witness.

If you believe someone could be involved in human trafficking, here are the signs to look out for that could save a life.