Authorities in Charlotte County have arrested two women for allegedly operating an unlicensed massage business and facilitating prostitution.
According to the arrest reports, Shen Li, 54, and Yuling Zhang, 44, were soliciting prostitution at two separate businesses in Charlotte County.
The arrest report for Li said that on Wednesday, a tip was sent to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office about the possibility of illegal prostitution at Magic Massage in Port Charlotte.
Once aware, deputies conducted an undercover operation, which was intended to determine if illegal prostitution was occurring.
During the operation, the female, later identified as Li, agreed to engage in sex for $240 with the undercover officer after negotiations. As the officer handed her the money, the arrest team came into the room and arrested Li.Â
After an arrest report was run on Li, it was confirmed that she was arrested and charged with prostitution on Sept. 25, 2023. Further investigation concluded that her license was revoked on June 24 due to her previous violation of prostitution.
For this instance, she was charged with soliciting prostitution and is currently in the Charlotte County Jail.
According to Zhang’s arrest report, she was caught after information was forwarded to CCSO about prostitution at Magnolia Foot and Body Massage in Port Charlotte.
Officers conducted another undercover operation, and during it, according to the arrest report, Zhang agreed to perform sex for $160. Once the decision was made, the arrest team entered the establishment and arrested Zhang.
During the investigation, deputies discovered that Zhang did not hold a license to practice massage therapy. She was arrested for soliciting prostitution and operating a massage establishment without a license. She is currently in the Charlotte County Jail.
The arrests highlight an ongoing issue with businesses that pose as massage or therapy shops but are suspected of being fronts for prostitution rings.
Investigators previously uncovered illegal activity at the Honey Bee Scent Shop in February during a sting operation in Port Charlotte.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office stated its commitment to cracking down on these ‘front’ businesses, aiming to disrupt what it describes as a growing underground network.