NASHVILLE – 10 women have been arrested and charged following a joint undercover enforcement action to disrupt illicit and illegal massage businesses in Tennessee.

Through investigative efforts months in advance of Wednesday’s operation, authorities identified seven locations – six spas and a residence – as being potentially engaged in illegal activities including prostitution, promotion of prostitution, and impersonating a licensed professional. In addition to securing arrests for those committing crimes, the enforcement action also sought to identify and recover victims of sex and labor trafficking at spas in the Murfreesboro, Columbia, Chattanooga, Kingsport, and Cookeville areas.
 
As a result of the operation, authorities arrested the following women.
 
• Lifang Zeng (DOB 11/19/83): Prostitution, Promoting Prostitution, Impersonating a Licensed Professional

• Yajing Yang (DOB 12/8/83): Impersonating a Licensed Professional

• Jin He (DOB 6/5/82): Prostitution, Failure to Maintain Massage Parlor License, Impersonating a Licensed Professional

• Xiaomei Zhao (DOB 10/19/75): Prostitution, Failure to Maintain Massage Parlor License, Impersonating a Licensed Professional

• Can Yan (DOB 10/6/88): Immigration Hold

• Ronghua Zhang (DOB 3/7/74): Immigration Hold

• Zenga Xie (DOB 1/14/68): Promoting Prostitution

• Zengxiu Xie (DOB 10/15/63): Immigration Hold

• Xilian Xie (DOB 2/13/70): Immigration Hold

• Yan Fu (DOB 2/28/80): Immigration Hold

Investigative agencies participating in the operation included TBI, the Tennessee Human Trafficking Task Force, the FBI’s Crimes Against Children Human Trafficking Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Cookeville Police Department, the Chattanooga Police Department, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Murfreesboro Police Department, the Spring Hill Police Department, the Columbia Police Department, the Kingsport Police Department, the Johnson City Police Department, the 2nd Judicial District Attorneys General Office, and the Tennessee Department of Health.
 
Authorities vetted every individual encountered during the operation and offered services, when appropriate, from the state’s human trafficking nonprofit partners. The following organizations provided support during this week’s operation: Willowbend Farms, StreetGrace, AncoraTN, CCAHT/GrowFree, NAHT, Hope for Justice, Rescue 1 Global, and Thistle Farms.
 
Additional information about human trafficking, warning signs, and more information about Tennessee’s approach to ending sex and labor trafficking can be found online at www.ITHasToStop.com.

The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.

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