Authorities investigating suspected prostitution at various health spas and massage parlors in Erie County in recent months have relied in part on information provided by people who admitted to engaging in sexual activity at some of those places.
Investigators used some of that information in the latest raid on a spa in Millcreek Township, according to case documents.
The Millcreek Township Police Department and Erie County Detectives on May 7 served a search warrant on Lucy Spa, 2829 W. 26th St., and found evidence they said indicates prostitution was taking place at the business.
Police took one person into custody and charged her in connection with the investigation.
Hui Hong, 55, whose address was listed as Lucy Spa, was arraigned on the evening of May 7 by North East District Judge Scott Hammer on charges including felony counts of dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activity, promoting prostitution, and living off prostitutes.
Hong was placed in the Erie County Prison on $150,000 bond following her arraignment, and is tentatively scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing May 19, according to information in her criminal docket sheet.
A lawyer for Hong was not listed on the docket sheet May 8.
What led to the search?
Investigators wrote in the affidavit filed with Hong’s criminal complaint that, since 2025, authorities have been in contact with cooperating sources about their knowledge of activities related to “Asian Owned Massage Parlors” operating in Erie County. Beginning in October, investigators have interviewed seven sources who all admitted to engaging in sexual activity in exchange for money at Lucy Spa, according to information in the affidavit.
Police also said Lucy Spa advertised on a site called, “Skip the Games,” and they noted in the affidavit messages they reviewed on the site. They included, “Sexy and skillful Asian females who know how to please men,” and “Hot and sexy body. I can provide you the experience of a lifetime.”
Investigators served the search warrant on Lucy Spa on the afternoon of May 7 and said they found Hong and another woman at the business. During the search, according to the affidavit, investigators found used, wrapped and unwrapped condoms; more than $22,000 in cash; a point-of-sale machine; and a Pennsylvania Department of State business certificate in Hong’s name.
The business building’s landlord identified Hong as the tenant who pays the monthly rent, investigators wrote in the affidavit.
An investigation in April by the Pennsylvania State Police into suspected prostitution at Summer Foot Spa at 15 Clinton St. in North East is one of four cases in Erie County over the past year in which authorities probed suspected prostitution at area health spas and massage parlors.
Latest in a series of investigations
The search of Lucy Spa is the latest in a series of investigations authorities have conducted over the past 11 months at locations in Erie County where suspected prostitution was taking place.
In June, 56 people were charged in an investigation into the activities at Totally You Fitness Spa on Peach Street in Erie. Three people charged in connection with the operation of the alleged house of prostitution are awaiting trial in the case, while charges against a fourth were later dismissed. Most of the 52 people charged with patronizing prostitutes in the case have entered pleas to misdemeanor charges and were ordered to pay fines, according to court documents.
Four Chinese nationals were indicted federally on charges of running a massage parlor in Erie and another in Harborcreek Township as houses of prostitution, according to an indictment that was unsealed in late January. One of the accused died and his indictment was dismissed, and the cases against the other three are pending in U.S. District Court in Erie.
The Pennsylvania State Police served a search warrant April 21 on Summer Foot Spa, 15 Clinton St. in North East after getting information from sources and conducting surveillance on the business. A woman found in the business and was taken into custody.
The woman, 57-year-old Sui Lin, of Corona, New York, was charged with offenses including felony promoting prostitution and is awaiting her preliminary hearing in the case.
Erie County District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz on May 8 thanked law enforcement and members of a task force working these cases for their hard work and continued commitment to these investigations.
“The collaboration between agencies over the last several months has led to successful enforcement efforts targeting these illegal operations which undermine the safety and well-being of our neighborhoods,” Hirz said in a statement to the Erie Times-News. “We will continue to work together to investigate and address these establishments in our community.”
Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Woman charged after Millcreek spa searched in prostitution probe