3 Massage Parlor Owners Charged In Human Trafficking Ring

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Three massage parlor owners were arrested on prostitution and human-trafficking offenses that occurred at spas around Montgomery County, police said.

The suspects arrested are: Hong Wang, 56 and Xiaoxia Lin, 42, of Laurel Grove Road and Hanfeng Zhang, 55, of Gunners Branch Road.

The Montgomery County Police Department became aware of possible prostitution and human trafficking occurring at four massage parlors in the county.

"During the investigation, detectives identified that two Asian females (both of whom possessed identification indicating that they were from the State of New York) were being housed in an apartment in the 800 block of Clopper Road in Gaithersburg," a police statement said. "Detectives observed Lin driving the females to the four massage parlors in order to work. Detectives further learned through interviews that females who were working in the four spas would often provide sexual services to the male customers."

Detectives identified the following massage parlors, that are owned and/or operated by the suspects:

• 966 Hungerford Dr. in Rockville
• 7246 Muncaster Mill Rd. in Derwood
• 28 South Frederick Ave. in Gaithersburg

Police arrested the suspects on the strength of Montgomery County warrants on June 12.

Lin and Wang are currently being held on a $25,000 bond, while bond information for Zhang is not currently available.

This is an ongoing investigation and detectives anticipate that additional suspects may be charged, police said.

"Detectives believe that Lin, Wang, and Zhang, may have engaged in the human trafficking of additional victims," the police statement said.

Investigators are urging anyone who has information with regard to criminal activity involving any of these suspects to contact the Vice and Intelligence Unit at 240-773-5959.

(Photos of Wang, Zhang and Lin via MCPD)