The Mauldin Police Department has arrested six people in connection with what investigators describe as a human trafficking operation involving illicit massage parlors.
Five arrests were made last Wednesday during a joint operation involving Mauldin Police, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Simpsonville Police and SLED. A sixth suspect was arrested Tuesday.
Police say the massage spas involved included Tokyo Spa and Ocean Breeze Massage in Mauldin, along with Minami Massage in Simpsonville.
Investigators say employees at the businesses were not licensed massage therapists, were paid less than minimum wage, and were allegedly forced to live inside the businesses with limited ability to leave.
One suspect faces a trafficking in persons charge, while the other five face prostitution-related charges. Police say the investigation is ongoing.
The list of suspects and charges 41 year old Anna Zhao, owner of Tokyo Spa and Minami Massage is charged with human trafficking and prostitution.
42 year old Christopher Michael Morphy, (an associate of Zhao’s) is charged with human trafficking and prostitution
51 year old, Lianying Cai co-owner of Ocean Breeze Massage is charged with prostitution as is, 55 year old Honglian He, another other co-owner of the spa. Officials say 55 year old, Yuelian Gu is also charged with prostitution.
That group was all arrested last week . 53 year old, Jufen Tang, 53, another owner at Ocean Breeze Massage was arrested Tuesday and and is charged with prostitution.
