A New York woman has been charged with sex trafficking while operating an unlicensed spa in the 14800 block of Physicians Lane in Rockville.
Yang Jiang, 63, is charged with hiring and potentially victimizing a woman, who had been hired to provide massage services and then was told she could make extra money by providing sexual services to the clients, according to Montgomery County Police.
Police ask that any women also hired or victimized by Jiang contact them at 240-773-5958 or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.
According to police, ads with scantily clad Asian women in lingerie were posted on a website known for soliciting prostitution. Police began investigating this spa after seeing the ads.
During the investigating, police detectives saw male clients entering and leaving the spa. On Dec. 28, 2022, a search warrant was obtained, which was executed Jan. 4.
Detectives interviewed a victim who said she was told she could make extra money by providing sexual services. Police then arrested Jiang and charged her with two counts of sex trafficking on Feb. 3.
“This arrest is the third incident in recent months involving an illicit spa and human trafficking in Montgomery County. This underscores the real and rising threat posed by human trafficking in the region,” said Police Chief Marcus Jones.
“Victims of human trafficking are not always forced into trafficking by brute, physical means. Victims are often coerced into being trafficked over a period of time through deliberate, psychological tactics used by their traffickers, so the signs of trafficking may not always be obvious,” Jones continued. “There are several ways that victims of trafficking can obtain help and can contact either the police department directly or the Montgomery County Crisis Center.”
Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police Vice and Intelligence Unit (V&I) have charged a woman with sex trafficking while operating an illegal spa. https://t.co/Kml9pgs8ld#MCPD #MCPNews pic.twitter.com/N97HbzszLb
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) February 6, 2023
