Re: Anyone here get a massage lately?
http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2009/11/19/news/doc4b04d3b7d5d39554115853.txt
News
Massage parlor prostitution ring alleged
Thursday, November 19, 2009
By Tom Caprood
The Record
COLONIE ? Six people were arrested Tuesday in connection with a prostitution sting operation at area massage parlors.
Five individuals were arrested from Jasmine Beauty and Massage, 1741 Central Ave., while another was arrested from the Tao Beauty Salon at 215 Old Loudon Road, according to a release from the Albany County Sheriff?s Office.
Kuen Ling Cheng, 40, the owner of Jasmine Beauty, was charged with third-degree promoting prostitution and ?unauthorized practice a crime,? both felonies.
Cheng?s employees were charged as follows: Yuqiu Zhao, 48, and Ying Wang, 41, of Flushing, were charged with prostitution, a misdemeanor, and unauthorized practice a crime, a felony.
Jin Mei Zhao, 52, who resides at the parlor with Cheng, was charged with unauthorized practice of a crime, while Chi You Cheng, 63, a Flushing resident and the owner?s father, was charged with third-degree promoting prostitution and fourth-degree criminal facilitation.
According to the sheriff?s office, investigators acted on tips from concerned citizens as well as information from several Web sites which detailed which women to ask for and what kind of tip to leave in order to obtain their illegal services.
Investigators later posed as customers at the business and requested a massage, making their arrests when the women requested additional money to engage in sexual conduct.
On the same day, detectives also arrested Zhu Lu, 45, of Latham, on charges of prostitution and unauthorized practice of a crime after she agreed to engage in illegal services with investigators once inside the massage room.
Business owners at Tao had no idea that Lu had been involved in such practices, according to the sheriff?s office.
Cheng was allegedly watching a surveillance video of the business from her residence upstairs during the arrest while her father reportedly watched for police from the parking lot outside.
Tom Caprood can be reached at 270-1278 or by e-mail at
tcaprood@troyrecord.com.