Mandan massage business owner pleads not guilty in prostitution case - The Bismarck Tribune

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Brad Nygaard


A 70-year-old man who owns a Mandan massage business alleged to promote prostitution and employ unlicensed workers pleaded not guilty Monday.



Wiemin Peng

PROVIDED


Wiemin Peng, of New York, faces up to five years in prison if convicted of the felony charge of promoting prostitution and up to 30 days in jail on the other charge.


During Peng's preliminary hearing, Mandan Police Detective Dylan McAlexander testified about an investigation into activities at Relax Body Work at 211 W. Main St. That eight-month investigation began in June 2024 after a man told authorities he was solicited during a visit to the business, the officer stated.


The woman performing the massage allegedly offered sexual favors for $50 cash and touched the customer's genital area, according to McAlexander. However, the customer reportedly did not pay for such advances.

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McAlexander testified that Mandan police initiated surveillance that resulted in interviews with two other men seen entering and leaving the premises. Both of those men confirmed to authorities that employees offered to provide sexual favors for $50, the detective said. One of those men claimed a female employee touched his genital area without being prompted while the other man reportedly admitted he had paid for services.


Defense attorney Steven Fischer asked the detective if any of the interviews had been recorded, to which the detective replied he was unsure if the initial interview launching the investigation had been, but the other two interviews were recorded by body-worn cameras on other officers who were present.


The interviews led Mandan police to execute a search warrant at the business, according to McAlexander. Certificates identifying a person named Li Zhang as a master of reflexology were not confirmed by the State Board of Reflexology, an affidavit said.


Authorities also found that the person the business identified as a licensed practitioner did not appear in state records, according to the affidavit. McAlexander testified that none of the business’s employees held valid licenses.


Reflexology differs from massage therapy in that it focuses on the feet, hands and ears, while massage therapy can involve the entire body.


McAlexander testified that during the search, investigators found several signed checks bearing Peng’s signature. The checks were reportedly made out to the business’s landlord for monthly rent payments. A review of records from the Secretary of State’s Office identified Peng as the business owner, and McAlexander said Peng reportedly had an active management role.


During an initial court appearance on March 19, Peng told a judge that he lives at the business when he's in town. His primary residence is in Flushing, a Queens neighborhood.


Weng was reportedly arrested after authorities approached him at the Bismarck airport, and McAlexander testified Weng was interviewed at Mandan police headquarters prior to his arrest.


Fischer asked if that interview had been recorded and if authorities had provided a translator since Weng primarily speaks Chinese. McAlexander said the interview had been recorded and translation services were provided by Homeland Security. He did not elaborate about the involvement of Homeland Security personnel regarding the investigation other than testifying to their presence during the interview.


A Chinese language interpreter was also present via interactive video during Monday's hearing.


South Central District Judge Jackson Lofgren ruled there is sufficient evidence to send Peng's case before a jury.


Peng is free on a $15,000 bond. A trial is scheduled to begin July 9.



Reach Brad Nygaard at 701-250-8260 or Brad.Nygaard@bismarcktribune.com

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