Massage parlor closed, human trafficking victims found

Special to the Daily Jeffersonian
·2 min read
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A massage parlor has been shut down and an individual arrested following the execution of a search warrant on Oct. 26, at Sophie's Relax Massage on Southgate Parkway.

According to Guernsey County Sheriff Jeffrey D. Paden, a joint investigation was launched between his office, Homeland Security and the State Medical Board of Ohio in August. It culminated with the arrest of Yinqin LI, 58, of China., who was charged with two counts of promoting prostitution, fourth-degree felonies. LI is currently in the county jail awaiting a hearing at the Guernsey County Common Pleas Court.

This investigation, according to Paden, spanned to other counties and states to include Washington County and Parkersburg, West Virginia.

On Nov. 1, 2022, the Parkersburg Police Department, West Virginia State Police, Marietta Police Department, State Medical Board, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Noble County Sheriff’s Office, Major Crimes Task Force and Southeastern Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, which operates under Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, executed three search warrants at the BB Spas located in Marietta and Parkersburg.

Two individuals were charged with prostitution by the Parkersburg Police Department, and it was arranged for human trafficking victims to return to their families.

Numerous local individuals have been identified frequenting these illicit massage businesses. This investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected.

Sheriff Paden would like to thank those individuals in the community that came forward about the activities happening at these businesses.

Anyone with additional information about this investigation or knowledge of additional victims of human trafficking are encouraged to contact the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office at 740-439-4455, the task force through Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 740-376-7070, and the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-3737-888.

Information from the Guernsey County Sheriff's Office.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Massage parlor closed, human trafficking victims found