2 Arrested in Manchester Prostitution Investigation

MANCHESTER, CT — Two women have been arrested in a prostitution sting at a local spa, police said on Monday.

On Nov. 2, the East Central Narcotics Task Force, with assistance from the Center for Digital Investigations, Homeland Security, Department of Labor, and The Manchester Fire Department executed a search warrant that stemmed from a long-term investigation into prostitution complaints at a Manchester spa, police said.

“Bright Spa,” located at 73 West Center St., was closed as a result of "multiple code violations found by the Department of Labor, Manchester Building Official, and Fire Department.," police said.

Investigators discovered that the residence was being used as a commercial business as well as apartment living space which was deemed a violation by town officials, police said.

Task Force Members "developed information" that prostitution was occurring inside the local business, police said.

Task Force Members arrested Lihue Zhang, 58, and charged her with third-degree promoting prostitution.

Also arrested was Shuying Whitmore, 56. She was charged with second-degree promoting prostitution.

The investigation revealed that Whitmore was the only employee listed for the business, police said. Whitmore was not working at the time of the search warrant execution, police said.

Zhang was giving a message at the time of the sting, police said.

The business did not have a license to practice message therapy, police said.

The task force also arrested "a male subject" during the investigation whose name was released.

Task force members seized computers, documents, an advanced security system, and an undisclosed amount of cash, police said.

Photo Credit: East Central Narcotics Task Force