2 charged with promoting human trafficking at Bowling Green massage parlor - wnky.com

[GOOGLE NEWS 2024]

September 3, 2024




BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -Two people are facing charges amid an ongoing investigation at a Bowling Green massage parlor.

According to a uniform citation, the Bowling Green Police Department responded on Aug. 27 to Star Spa, an “illegal massage parlor” located off of the 800 block of Lain Avenue.

Police say they spoke to two women who were found to be working there under “suspicious conditions.”

One woman stated she was receiving minimal payment, while the other stated she was only making tips from massages and had not been paid at all, according to authorities.

Police say both women said they did not know what city or state they were in. BGPD confirmed both women were safely removed from the business and provided with the appropriate services.

On Tuesday, Sept. 3, police say they spoke with Xu Zhang, 37, of Orland Park, Illinois. Zhang admitted to operating the business but claimed not to be the owner, police say.

Police say Zhang and a male subject, identified as Mei Dianyong, 60, of Orland Park, Illinois, travel to Star Spa regularly to pick up money.

Both individuals are “benefitting financially from the illegal business,” the citation states.

The Bowling Green Police Department says Bowling Green City Code Compliance was called to the scene, and after a thorough inspection, police say officials learned the business was violating multiple city codes. Officials say it was ordered to immediately close.

Police say Zhang confirmed she recruits the employees working in her building.

Dianyong and Zhang own multiple illegal massage parlors in several states, authorities say. The investigation is ongoing.

Both are charged with promoting human trafficking and remain at the Warren County Detention Center.