Sex Trafficking Charges Filed Against Rockville Spa Operator: Police

ROCKVILLE, MD — Montgomery County Police have charged 63-year-old Yang Jiang of New York with sex trafficking while operating an illegal spa in Rockville, according to a news release. Any women who may have been hired and victimized by Jiang are asked to call police.

In November 2022, detectives from the Vice and Intelligence Unit began investigating an unlicensed spa in the 14800 block of Physicians Lane in Rockville. Ads for the spa appeared on a website known to solicit prostitution, according to police. The ads showed scantily clad Asian women in lingerie. Detectives observed male customers entering and leaving the business.

On Jan. 4, detectives executed a search warrant of the unlicensed spa. A sex trafficking victim told police that Jiang hired her to provide massage services and said she could earn additional money by providing sexual services for the clients, according to the release. Jiang was charged on Feb. 3, with two counts of sex trafficking.

Jiang's arrest is the third incident in recent months involving an illicit spa and human trafficking, according to Chief Marcus Jones, in a release.

“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 said. “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.”

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Vice and Intelligence Unit at 240-773-5958 or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Information may be submitted anonymously.

Victims of sex trafficking can receive assistance by contacting the Montgomery County Crisis Center. The Crisis Center provides free crisis services 24 hours a day/ 365 days a year. Services are provided by telephone (240-777-4000) or in person at 1301 Piccard Drive in Rockville (no appointment needed), or call 911.