Human trafficking in Florida massage parlors: What we know about arrests on Treasure Coast...

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Mary Helen Moore Treasure Coast Newspapers

Published 7:24 PM EST Feb 20, 2019


Law-enforcement agencies across the Treasure Coast began making arrests this week after an international human trafficking operation was tied to prostitution in Florida massage parlors.

Here's what we know:

• Hundreds of arrests are expected in the coming days, including "major players" and prominent community members.
• At least eight spas were closed after raids Tuesday.
• The human trafficking ring has connections to China and New York, according to Martin County Sheriff William Snyder.
• In Florida, the investigation reached from the Orlando area through the Treasure Coast to Palm Beach County.
• Officials are in the process of seizing more than $2 million in assets.

More: Details in spa sex, human trafficking released; neighbor says case 'like a movie'

More: Large human trafficking ring with ties to Treasure Coast busted

The victims


Snyder said Chinese women held in the spas were involved in "graphic sexual activity, very risky behavior." They had no access to transportation and were moved from location to location.

"It was clear that multiple women were working and living inside the spas. They were cooking on the back steps of the business," Snyder said. "They were sleeping in the massage parlor on the massage tables."

Snyder said what has been revealed so far is "the tip of the tip of the iceberg."

More: Bond set for women arrested in connection with human trafficking on Treasure Coast

Targeted spas


Here are the businesses we know were shut down Tuesday:

• Cove Day Spa, 6136 S.E. U.S.1, Stuart
• Therapy Spa, 2836 S.E. U.S. 1, Stuart
• Bridge Day Spa, 11774 S.E. U.S. 1, Hobe Sound
• Orchids of Asia Day Spa, 103 U.S. 1, Jupiter
• Sequoia Apple Day Spa, 10447 S.E. U.S. 1, Hobe Sound
• AA Massage, 1547 U.S. 1, Sebastian
• East Spa, 2345 14th Ave., Suite 10, Vero Beach

The four spas in Stuart and Hobe Sound were established within the past three years, according to state records. One in Jupiter, Orchids of Asia, has been in business since 2012.

More: Treasure Coast spas connected to human trafficking arrests opened within past three years

It was unclear whether all the locations in Indian River County have been revealed. A press conference was set for 1 p.m. Thursday.

In Indian River County, nearly 200 people will be charged with soliciting prostitution and several will be charged with racketeering and other prostitution-related crimes, according to the Vero Beach Police Department.

At least seven "major players" have been identified in Indian River County.

More: 'It just didn't seem like it was an up-and-up situation,' says spa neighbor

Two women who managed spas in Martin County and Jupiter were arrested on racketeering, money laundering and prostitution charges late Tuesday:

• Ruimei Li, 48, of Jupiter, was held on $828,000 bail.
• Lixia Zhu, 48, of Stuart, was held on $428,000 bail.

The owner of Orchids of Asia Day Spa also was arrested: Hua Zhang, 58, of Winter Garden, was charged with deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution, keeping and frequenting a house of prostitution and 26 counts of procuring for prostitution.

Zhang was being held Wednesday in the Palm Beach County Jail in lieu of $528,000 bail.

Lei Wang, 39, who has an address in Hobe Sound, was arrested Tuesday, according to reports Wednesday.

Wang is listed as the registered agent for Sequoia Apple Day Spa. The Jupiter Police Department also identified Wang as the manager of Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter in an arrest affidavit Wednesday.

At least 100 men are expected to be charged with paying for sexual acts at their spas, Snyder said.

Staff writers Will Greenlee and Ali Schmitz contributed to this story.

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