Prostitution Sting Nets Five People, $2,857 in Mercer County

Five people were charged and law enforcement agencies seized $2,857 following a three-week prostitution investigation, Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri said Monday morning.

During the course of the three-week investigation in three Mercer County municipalities, undercover officers were solicited for sex by women working at the establishments under investigation.

On Tuesday, July 28, at about 1:30 p.m., officers executed search warrants at Young Spa, 3231 Brunswick Pike, in Lawrence. A search of the establishment revealed bank records and $1,430 in cash, and resulted in two managers of the spa being charged.

Ying Lan Lu, 34, of Flushing, NY, was charged with promoting prostitution.

Meihua Cui, 31, of Little, NJ, was charged with promoting prostitution and engaging in prostitution.

Two vehicles belonging to the defendants, a 2014 Nissan Sentra and a 2015 Toyota RAV4, were seized as proceeds related to the business.

Both women were released pending future court proceedings.

The following day, at about 3:55 p.m., officers executed search warrants at Bala Bala, 2479 Pennington Avenue, in Hopewell Township. A search of the establishment revealed bank records and $370.

Feng Rong Chen, 46, of Queens, NY, was charged with promoting prostitution. She was the manager.

Dan Dan Lu, 29, was charged with engaging in prostitution.

Both women were released pending future court proceedings.

This search followed a search of the same establishment in May. At that time, three women were charged and law enforcement seized more than $20,000.

The establishment had just recently reopened.

Finally, on Thursday, July 30, at about 3:35 p.m., officers executed search warrants at Asia Silk Spa, 893 Parkway Avenue, in Ewing.

Zhang Zhanping, 46, of Flushing, NY, was charged with promoting prostitution and engaging in prostitution.

Bank records and $1,057 in cash were located throughout the building and in her vehicle. The vehicle, a 2014 Toyota Camry, was seized as proceeds related to the business. Zhanping was released pending future court proceedings.

“Law enforcement will not permit these houses of prostitution in Mercer County,” Onofri said. “We will continue to work with local, state and federal partners to crack down on these illegal businesses that dramatically impact the quality of life for county residents.”

Officers with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, the Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell Township, Lawrence and Trenton police departments, the New Jersey State Police and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), under the command of Sgt. James Francis, conducted the investigation and made the arrests.

“The Lawrence Township Police Department will not tolerate an individual or business engaging in illegal activity in the township,” Chief Mark Ubry said. “I do not agree with the argument that prostitution is a victimless crime. We have experienced some serious crimes, such as robbery, aggravated assault and thefts, centered on the crime of prostitution. We will continue to take an active role in developing intelligence and working with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and HSI agents to help combat prostitution from occurring in our community.”

“The Hopewell Township Police Department would like to thank the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance in the effort to rid Hopewell Township of this type of illegal activity,” Chief Lance Maloney said. “Our police department will remain responsive to our citizens and will continue to assist in the prosecution of these cases to maintain the quality of life that our residents expect.”

As with all crimes, the Ewing Police Department will aggressively investigate crimes related to prostitution,” Chief John P. Stemler III said. “It’s unconscionable that they would run such a business so close to a school. Thankfully, the swift operation of this joint investigation was able to shut it down before the school year began. We are happy to partner with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and police departments throughout the county to ensure a successful conclusion.”

Promoting prostitution is a third-degree offense carrying a penalty of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Engaging in prostitution is a disorderly persons offense.

The attached images of Dan Dan Lu, Feng Rong Chen and Ying Lan Lin were provided by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.