Somerset Massage Parlor Raided: Woman Arrested on Sex Trafficking and Prostitution Charges, $51K Seized

SOMERSET ─ On Tuesday, local, state and federal law enforcement raided the Lotus Flower Body Works, a massage parlor located at 1680 Grand Army Highway in Somerset that led to the arrest of one woman who is facing charges of sex trafficking and prostitution.

Yuehong Wang, 53, whose address is the same as the establishment, was taken into custody during the raid that included officers from the Somerset Police Department and special agents from the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigation Service in Newport, RI.

On Tuesday afternoon, law enforcement officers, including a K-9 were seen entering and exiting the building at the small strip mall at the corner of Lees River Avenue.

According to a press release from the Somerset Police Chief William Tedford, an investigation into the business began in March between the Somerset Police Department Detective Division and the NCIS.

“The investigation stemmed from concerns of possible human trafficking taking place at the business,” according to the news release.

Somerset police detectives, NCIS special agents and Connecticut State Trooper Frederick Jones, and his partner, K9 Freda, executed a search warrant and arrest warrant at the Lotus Flower.

Somerset Police Detective Donald Cormier, who led this investigation, authored both warrants, according to Somerset PD. 

The search of the establishment resulted in the seizure of $51,444 in cas, along with numerous ledgers and other items related to the ongoing criminal enterprise.

Wang is charged with trafficking of a person for sexual servitude, deriving support for prostitution, sexual conduct for a fee and aiding and permitting a nuisance.

“The Somerset Police Department extends its sincere gratitude to the NCIS Special Agents for their partnership and support throughout this investigation. We would also like to acknowledge and thank Officer Fuming Chen of the Plymouth Police Department for his invaluable assistance in providing translation services during the execution of the search warrant. His support was critical in facilitating communication with individuals encountered at the scene.  Lastly, we wish to recognize the contribution of Connecticut State Trooper Frederick Jones and his K9 partner, Freda, a trained currency detection dog.  Their efforts were a major part in the successful search of the property,” according to the release.

During the investigation, detectives also identified an associated location in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts.

Tyngsborough detectives reportedly launched a parallel investigation in their jurisdiction after working in conjunction with Somerset detectives.