Police Seek Sex-Trafficking Victims Who Worked At Massage Parlor, 2 Women Arrested

KENSINGTON, MD — Two women face prostitution charges tied to massage parlors in Kensington, Laurel and Anne Arundel County. Montgomery County Police are seeking former workers at the businesses who were trafficking victims.

Detectives charged Chang Liu, 34, and Yinlian Wu, 50, with prostitution-related charges. Victims who were employed at these massage parlors have been asked by authorities to come forward.

Police said in a release that Liu owned massage parlors in Montgomery County, Anne Arundel County and the city of Laurel which offered illicit sex acts in exchange for cash. A six-month investigation by the three police departments began in October 2023 when detectives learned of possible prostitution and sex trafficking occurring at the Elegant Spa in the 10500 block of Metropolitan Avenue in Kensington.

Detectives saw dozens of predominately male customers at Elegant Spa daily and obtained multiple admissions of illicit sexual activity in exchange for cash that at the business. A spa employee attempted to bribe an inspector from Health and Human Services during an inspection of the business to prevent its closure.

On March 6, detectives executed a search and seizure warrant at Elegant Spa, where they arrested Chang Liu, of Columbia, charging her with multiple counts of sex trafficking and prostitution.

Yinlian Wu, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was also taken into custody on an arrest warrant charging her with attempted bribery of an HHS inspector and multiple counts of prostitution.

Detectives said Liu, Wu, and two other women lived inside the spa at various times during the investigation. Evidence seized included an undisclosed amount of cash and one vehicle.

Liu and Wu were transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where they were subsequently released after posting bond.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims whom C. Liu employed. Detectives ask any additional victims to contact the Vice and Intelligence Unit at 240-773-5958.