3 Busted In Prostitution Ring At Lawrence Restaurants, Spa: Cops

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ — Two years ago, Lawrence Township police received a tip about a high number of people living in a single home on Lakedale Drive. Police acted on the tip.

What ensued was a two-year investigation into human trafficking, prostitution, money laundering and tax evasion, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced.

Three Lawrence residents were arrested, including 47-year-old Chin Pang Liu and 45-year-old Dong Teng. Liu is the primary owner of Fusion House on Brunswick Pike in Lawrence, and Golden China Restaurant on Floral Vale Boulevard in Yardley, as well as the house in question. Teng owns Anna Nails and Massage on Brunswick Pike in Lawrence.

Yonglian Liu, 34, an employee of Chin Pang Liu, was also arrested for his role to further the prostitution scheme.

They were arrested following the execution of search warrants at a restaurant, a spa and five homes in Lawrence Township and a restaurant in Yardley, Pennsylvania, according to the prosecutor’s office. Search warrants were also executed on multiple cars, and authorities said they are reviewing financial records.

“This is classic case of people being isolated, exploited and trapped in a forced-labor situation,” Onofri said. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to rescue these vulnerable victims and ensure human traffickers face strict punishment.”

During the investigation, which began in September 2016, authorities said they saw numerous men and women going back and forth between the Lawrence Township home and restaurants in both Lawrence and Yardley. Chin Pang Liu is accused of transporting workers back and forth.

Detectives also learned that those who were living in the house were illegally employed by Liu. They were being paid less than minimum wage without that income being reported or taxed, and full-time employees received no benefits, according to authorities. Liu bought and provided the cars that transported the employees back and forth.

Yonglian Liu, was a frequent patron of the spa, according to authorities. He was often seen taking cash from the spa to Golden China Restaurant. Detectives determined that the restaurant and spa were sites used in a prostitution ring.

During the execution of a search warrant at Liu’s home, detectives said they seized $50,000 in U.S. currency. Liu reported an income of $100,000 for 2016, according to authorities. Financial documents and cash seized during the execution of the search warrants confirmed that Liu failed to report a majority of his income.

Chin Pang Liu is charged with human trafficking and failure to pay taxes. The prosecutor’s office intends to ask for conditions to his release pending future court appearances. The human trafficking charge is a first-degree offense, carrying a sentence of 20 years without parole to life in prison and a fine of up to $200,000.

Yonglian Liu and Dong Teng were each charged with promoting prostitution and maintaining a residence as a place of prostitution. They were issued summons complaints and released pending future court proceedings.

The attached images of Chin Pang Liu, Yonglian Liu and Dong Teng were provided by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.