Hudson Valley couple sentenced for running elaborate prostitution ring - Times Union

[Phillip Pantuso]

PUTNAM VALLEY — A Hudson Valley husband and wife were sentenced to federal prison for running a complex prostitution ring at massage parlors in Putnam, Westchester, New York and Queens counties.


From at least September 2020 until September 2023, Hong Ru Lin, 51, and his partner Kena Zhao, 46, managed a roster of women who offered sexual favors to patrons at massage parlors the couple operated in the lower Hudson Valley and New York City, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.


Prosecutors alleged that Lin and Zhao communicated by cellphone and private chats to manage and operate their illicit business, including monitoring income, assigning particular employees to customers and setting “performance goals” for the women. On at least one occasion, Zhao personally participated in a massage during which a sexual act was offered to a customer, according to the Justice Department.


Both Lin and Zhao were sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison, plus two years of supervised release. They also agreed to forfeit $1.3 million in illicit earnings and turn over the massage parlors’ bank accounts, assets and other cash proceeds.


The FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation, receiving assistance from the town of Carmel Police Department, the Westchester County Police Department and the Yonkers Police Department. The Southern District’s Civil Rights Unit in its criminal unit and White Plains division let the prosecution.


“Today’s sentences hold them accountable for their actions,” Acting U.S. Attorney Edward Y. Kim said in a release dated Jan. 17. “This office will continue to investigate those who sponsor illegal prostitution, even if their criminal activities take place behind the closed doors of supposedly legitimate businesses.”