Suspects ran prostitution ring out of massage parlors
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested 6 suspects for prostitution and money laundering. The investigation shows these main suspects ran a prostitution ring out of 13 Asian Massage Parlors located from Naples to Tallahassee.
Agents began their investigation at the request of Collier County Sheriff’s Office and Sarasota Police Department after they suspected prostitution at massage parlors in their jurisdictions. The investigation shows females of Chinese descent were offering sex acts in exchange for additional money after providing massages.
“We are focused on conducting interviews to determine whether human trafficking is part of this criminal enterprise,” said FDLE Ft. Myers Special Agent in Charge Shane Pollard. “The arrests are just the beginning of this investigation.”
“Thanks to this complex and multi-agency investigation the criminal activity that these individuals were perpetrating is over,” said Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk. “Should the investigation determine that the women associated with this enterprise are the victims of human trafficking we will work closely with our local social service community partners to ensure that they are provided with the resources they need to recover and move forward.”
“We’re thankful to our partners at the FDLE and other area law enforcement agencies for partnering with us to stop these types of massage parlors from being in our communities,” said Chief Bernadette DiPino, Sarasota Police Department. “The human trafficking that is happening as a result of these establishments is modern day slavery. But this is just the beginning. We’re going to continue to partner with the FDLE and local law enforcement agencies to make sure these types of businesses are closed and the men and women who are being abused get the help that they need,” said Chief DiPino.
The massage parlors are owned by Robert Neil Jones, 67, of Naples, Florida with co-owners or managers running each location. Arrests were made on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning.
Robert Neil Jones, 67, 13415 Kent Street, Naples, Fla., arrested 6/9/17 in Kauai, Hawaii and booked into the Kauai County Jail.
- Conduct of or Participation in an Enterprise Through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity -1stDegree Felony
- Use or Investment of Proceeds from Pattern of Racketeering Activity – 1st Degree Felony
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering – 1st Degree Felony
- Money Laundering – 3rd Degree Felony
Xuan Lang, 47, 833 Meadowland, Drive, Naples, Fla., arrested 6/7/17 in Naples and booked into the Lee County Jail.
- Conduct of or Participation in an Enterprise Through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity -1stDegree Felony
- Use or Investment of Proceeds from Pattern of Racketeering Activity – 1st Degree Felony
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering – 1st Degree Felony
- Money Laundering – 3rd Degree Felony
Jun Lang, 40, 1300 Jeronimo Drive, Naples, Fla., arrested 6/7/17 in Lee County and booked into the Lee County Jail.
- Conduct of or Participation in an Enterprise Through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity -1stDegree Felony
- Use or Investment of Proceeds from Pattern of Racketeering Activity – 1st Degree Felony
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering – 1st Degree Felony
- Money Laundering – 3rd Degree Felony
Jing Zhang, 32, 1300 Jeronimo Drive, Naples, Fla., arrested 6/7/17 in Naples and booked into the Lee County Jail.
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering – 1st Degree Felony
Lianying Ma, 61, 13415 Kent Street, Naples, Fla., arrested 6/7/17 in Tallahassee and booked into the Leon County Jail.
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering – 1st Degree Felony
Ziyi Lang, 44, 8635 Ibis Cove Court, Naples, Fla., arrested 6/7/17 in Naples and booked into the Lee County Jail.
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering – 1st Degree Felony
Collier, Manatee, Sarasota and Leon County Sheriff’s Offices, Sarasota and Cape Coral Police Departments, Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations and the Florida Department of Health assisted in the investigation.
An additional 10 were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering as a result of the case.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact FDLE’s Ft. Myers Regional Operations Center at (239) 278-7170.
The case will be prosecuted by Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
