After a three-month undercover operation resulting from citizens’ complaints of illicit sexual activity, the Christiansburg Police Department on Wednesday, May 12, executed search warrants at three massage parlors operating in Christiansburg. The businesses were shut down and five persons were arrested.
Meanwhile, Blacksburg police continue to seek a suspect in connection with the armed robbery of the Fast Mart Marathon convenience store at 1211 Toms Creek Road on Wednesday May 12.
The suspect displayed a weapon during the incident and fled the area with an undisclosed amount of money. No one was injured during the incident.
The suspect is described as a heavyset black male, approximately 5’6″ to 5’8″ in his early 40’s.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the Blacksburg Police Department at (540) 443-1400 or to remain anonymous by calling the Blacksburg Police Tip Line at (540) 961-1819 or by emailing ciu@blacksburg.gov.
In response to the citizens’ complaints, the Christiansburg Police Department’s Vice Unit’s undercover officers purchased massage services as advertised by the businesses. In each establishment, during the legitimate massage, the officers, without suggestion or solicitation, were offered sexual services in exchange for an additional fee.
To be clear, the undercover officers always declined these acts, and no officers engaged in sexual activity with the employees of these businesses. The investigation consisted of multiple visits to each location to ensure that the offer of sexual acts for money represented a regular business practice and was not an isolated act of an individual employee.
The business licenses of three businesses—the Sunshine Spa (3225 North Franklin St.), the Spring Spa (2115 Roanoke St.) and the Oasis Day Spa (2150 Roanoke St.)—have all been suspended as a result of the investigation. These businesses are no longer allowed to operate in Christiansburg.
Additionally, the following individuals were charged with the listed crimes:
Qilin Cai, age 47, of Vinton: one misdemeanor count of operating a bawdy place in violation of §18.2-347.
Youmei Yang, age 43, of Christiansburg: one count of misdemeanor sexual battery in violation of §18.2-64.4, one misdemeanor count of prostitution in violation of §18.2-346, and one misdemeanor count of operating a bawdy place in violation of §18.2-347.
Hongling Zheng, age 54, of Christiansburg: one misdemeanor count of sexual battery in violation of §18.2-64.4, one misdemeanor count of prostitution in violation of §18.2-346, and one misdemeanor count of operating a bawdy place in violation of §18.2-347.
Yumin Tang, age 56, of Christiansburg: one misdemeanor count of residing at a bawdy place in violation of §18.2-347.
Xeuming Sun, age 57, of Christiansburg: one misdemeanor count of operating a bawdy place in violation §18.2-347 and one count of operating a massage parlor with no massage therapy license in violation of Christiansburg Town Ordinance 12-44.
Assisting the Christiansburg Police Department in their investigation were the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the Radford City Police Department, and the United States Department of Homeland Security. According to the Christiansburg Police Department, the investigation remains active as detectives continue to investigate the evidence recovered to determine if there is any connection to sex trafficking or other businesses in the area.
Assistant Police Chief Major Chris Ramsey said, “The Christiansburg Police Department recognizes that while activity like this is at times thought of as a ‘victimless crime’ that is far from the truth. These businesses are often linked to sex trafficking, and their continued operation facilitates the victimization of many vulnerable members of society, often including those who seek to immigrate to this country in search of a better life but instead find themselves forced into a life of sexual servitude. For those reasons, we are committed to thoroughly investigating and working with our commonwealth’s attorney to prosecute crimes of this nature.”
