NJ Woman Used Spas For Prostitution Ring, Money Laundering, Authorities Say

An Ocean County woman is accused of running a prostitution ring out of unlicensed spas she owns in three counties, authorities said Tuesday.

Kelly Jahnke-Gonzalez, 44, of Jackson, was arrested May 12 following an investigation that began in October, Sayreville Police Chief Daniel Plumacker said in announcing the arrest.

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Authorities also seized more than $100,000 in cash and froze multiple bank accounts in connection with the case, police said.

Sayreville police began investigating Jahnke-Gonzalez and several businesses, including multiple spas operating under her name, and determined she was managing the unlicensed spas being used for prostitution.

The Joha’s Spa locations in Brick, Jackson, Millstone Township and Sayreville were involved, NJ.com reported.

Police said authorities conducted extensive surveillance, undercover operations, and financial analysis, and on May 12 executed search warrants at multiple businesses, corporate offices, and Jahnke-Gonzalez’s home.

The searches resulted in the seizure of more than $100,000 in hidden cash, the freezing of several bank accounts, and the recovery of additional evidence supporting the allegations, Sayreville police said.

Jahnke-Gonzalez has been charged with four counts of promoting prostitution, maintaining a nuisance, money laundering and misconduct by a corporate official, police said. Additional charges and arrests are possible as the investigation is continuing, Sayreville police said.

Jahnke-Gonzalez was released pending further court proceedings, police said.

"The Sayreville Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to identifying and dismantling criminal activity that exploits vulnerable individuals and negatively impacts the quality of life within our communities," Plumacker said. "Those who seek to profit from prostitution and related criminal activity should understand that we will continue to aggressively investigate these offenses and pursue them through to their full conclusion."

The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, Brick Township Police, Jackson Township Police, the New Jersey Treasury Criminal Investigative Unit NCIS, Homeland Security Investigations and the Jackson Township SORT Team assisted, Sayreville police said.