The US Attorney’s Office provided an indictment that was released today that stated that on a date unknown but at least since November 2023 and continuing until this January, Shuhua Qiu, Chunlong Lin, Liruan Zhao, and Ming Zhai, used a facilitated massage business as a front for the unlawful business of commercial sexual acts.
Qiu and Zhao owned and managed the business known as “Sunny Spa” located at 4615 Buffalo Road in Erie Pennsylvania.
Beginning in at least January 2024 and continuing until the date of the indictment Lin owned and managed a business called “Point Spa,” located at 4432 Peach Street in Erie Pennsylvania.
All defendants opened and used bank accounts with various banks within the region for their business. They also used several internet companies to advertise websites where individuals could post classified advertisements. Telephone companies and cellular networks used by the defendants allowed them to create and manage phone applications, instant messaging, social media, and mobile payment applications that allowed for the sharing of photos, videos, and documents throughout the globe.
Some but not all of the facilities within interstate and foreign commerce had been used to promote, manage, carry on, or facilitate the business.
It was found that all three defendants had been in violation of the following: Title 18 which entails that the transport any individual in interstate or foreign commerce with the intent that the individual engages in prostitution or any sexual activity for which any person can be charged; and the crime for anyone to fail to file a factual statement concerning an alien person kept, harbored, or controlled for prostitution.
Prostitution is a violation of the laws within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. All individuals knowingly would and did transport individuals with intent that these individuals would engage in prostitution or any sexual activity that can result in a criminal offense.
Those involved in this conspiracy charged customers of the spas “house fees” that allowed for customers to meet with a “masseuse” and “tips” had been paid for commercial sex acts committed by the employees.
Customer information had been kept on record by the businesses to promote and continue the business.