December 5, 2014
THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS WERE SHUT DOWN BY THE NYPD:
- Yan Yan Spa, 7901B 17thAvenue
- Josomodo Spa “Happy”, 7401 New Utrecht Avenue
- Yisn Jing Spa, 7422 New Utrecht Avenue
- A1 Bodywork, 6920A 13thAvenue
- Kabuki (E&B Spa), 8015 17thAvenue
DEFENDANTS CHARGED WITH PROMOTING PROSTITUTION ARE:
Pan, Xiao-Ling, 190 York Street, Brooklyn, DOB 11/16/66, Promoting prostitution 4th degree (misdemeanor)
Han, Sun, 147-37 Elm Avenue, Queens, DOB 2/21/51, Promoting prostitution 3rd degree (felony)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, KEN THOMPSON, DISTRICT ATTORNEY
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014
15 WOMEN ARRESTED IN PROSTITUTION/HUMAN TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATION
OF BROOKLYN MASSAGE PARLORS
Search Warrants Executed at Nine Massage Parlors/Spas in Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst
After Community Complaints; Locations Padlocked By City
Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, together with New York City Police Commissioner William J. Bratton, today announced that 15 employees and managers of nine massage parlors in Brooklyn were arrested on prostitution and promoting prostitution charges following a long-term investigation.
District Attorney Thompson said, “We conducted these raids and made these arrests because the good people of Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst are sick and tired of these dens of prostitution, masquerading as legitimate businesses, popping up in our communities.”
Commissioner Bratton said, “As a result of these arrests, we hope to address the issue of prostitution in these communities and the possibility that these individuals may be victims of human trafficking. The New York City Police Department, in partnership with the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, remains committed to improving the quality of life for residents and stopping those who profit from the exploitation of others.”
The District Attorney said that nine defendants were charged in criminal complaints with misdemeanor prostitution, two were charged with promoting prostitution, and 10 were variously charged with providing unlicensed massage services, a felony.
The District Attorney said that, in today’s takedown, authorities entered the premises to make arrests and execute search warrants. They were joined by the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement, which includes inspectors from the Fire Department and the Department of Buildings. Two partial vacate orders were issued and inspectors cited a total of 71 building code violations and 20 fire code violations. The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board was present, and issued three stop-work orders in violation of workers’ compensation laws.
Investigators from the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit began investigating the store fronts in January following community complaints made to Community Board 10, City CouncilmanVincent Gentile and State Senator Marty Golden that the businesses were fronts for prostitution and blighted their neighborhoods.
Since February, NYPD Brooklyn South Narcotics undercover officers and detective investigators from the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office entered the locations to investigate their operations.
Elizabeth Glazer, director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, which includes the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement, said, “This approach to addressing human trafficking demonstrates how an array of tools, from law enforcement and beyond, can be effective in not just making a case but solving a problem.”
DOB Commissioner Rick Chandler said, “I would like to thank District Attorney Thompson for prosecuting this case. The outstanding investigative coordination between our fellow enforcement agencies and the Office of the Buildings Marshal demonstrates the importance of ensuring the legal use of buildings to protect the safety and quality of life of New Yorkers.”
Councilman Gentile said, “I commend District Attorney Ken Thompson, the NYPD and all the agencies involved in this operation. Today we are sending a very strong and simple message: we will not stand for illegal activities at illegitimate or unlicensed massage parlors. These establishments are an embarrassment to and a scourge on our community. Thanks to tips and information from local residents, the District Attorney’s Office was able to build a strong case. Indeed, businesses like these have no place in our strong, safe and family oriented community. This is a big victory.”
The arrestees were screened by NYPD Vice Enforcement and Victims Services counselors for indications of human trafficking, and will be evaluated for possible placement in programs.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Cooper Gorrie, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Laura Neubauer of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit and the overall supervision of Special Counsel to the District Attorney Mina Malik.
The Silent Soldier 