2 Barnegat-Manahawkin Spas Used As Front For Prostitution: Prosecutor

BARNEGAT-MANAHAWKIN, NJ — The owner of two spas in Barnegat and Manahawkin is accused of using the businesses as houses of prostitution, Ocean County authorities said.

Kani Peng, 53, was charged with promotion prostitution, maintaining a nuisance (specifically a house of prostitution), financial facilitation and engaging in prostitution, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, Barnegat Police Chief Jason D. Carroll and Stafford Police Chief James Haldenwang announced in a joint news release. The investigation into Peng, an Egg Harbor resident and owner of Rainbow Spa (Barnegat) and Bay Spa (Manahawkin), begin in Oct. 2023 and ended with her arrest on June 19.

Women who were living at the spas were engaging in sexual activity in exchange for payment, the investigation found. Peng, owner and manager of both locations, was often seen at the spas supplying necessary items for operation, like food, clothing and cleaning supplies, authorities said.

Search warrants were executed on the spas and Peng's Egg Harbor home on June 19, authorities said. Detectives found evidence that corroborated that prostitution was going on at both spas, and that Peng was aware of it, authorities said.

Peng was taken into custody at Bay Spa, processed and served the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.