METHUEN — Chief Scott McNamara reports that a lengthy investigation by the Methuen Police Department, prompted by resident complaints, has led the City to close a business and police to charge its manager with human trafficking and deriving support from prostitution.
SUPING ZHU, age 38, of FLUSHING, N.Y., was arrested and charged with:
- Deriving Support from Prostitution
- Keeper of a House of Ill Fame
- Trafficking Person for Sexual Servitude
On Thursday, Sept. 4, Methuen Police, as a result of a lengthy investigation that included surveillance and undercover operations, obtained a search warrant for Beauty Garden Spa, 5 Wallace St.
During the search, police found living quarters for two women in the basement of the commercially-zoned building. Police notified the Methuen Department of Health, Human Services, and Inspections, which immediately ordered the business closed citing “the unlawful habitation of individuals within a commercial premises lacking the requisite residential facilities and accommodations necessary to support lawful occupancy.”
Police subsequently located numerous computers, phones and business records that were used in their ongoing investigation, and interviewed two women who were working in the spa. The ongoing investigation led to police obtaining an arrest warrant for ZHU.
On Friday, Sept. 26, ZHU was taken into custody without incident on the arrest warrant.
ZHU will be arraigned Monday in Lawrence District Court.
“This operation marks the first blow in our aggressive campaign to eradicate human trafficking and sexual servitude in Methuen. The Methuen Police Department, standing united with Mayor Beauregard, is sending a clear and unmistakable warning to every nefarious proprietor running these vile operations: we are coming for you, and we will shut down your illegal enterprises with determined action,” said Chief McNamara. “To the ‘johns’ fueling this despicable trade, know this: you are not invisible, and we are targeting you next with the full might of the law. Human trafficking and sexual servitude are not victimless crimes. They exploit the vulnerable, destroy lives, and poison our community. We will relentlessly pursue every perpetrator to ensure they face justice. This is only the beginning, and the Methuen Police Department, backed by our community and law enforcement partners, will not rest until these crimes are eradicated from our city.”
“The Department of Health, Human Services, and Inspections reminds the public that commercial spaces are not permitted to be used as residences,” said Director of Public Health Caeli Tegan Zampach. “Living in a business or commercial unit is unsafe, violates municipal and state codes, and will be subject to enforcement.”
The Beauty Garden Spa has remained closed since the search warrant was served. Additional charges are possible as an ongoing investigation continues.
Chief McNamara recognizes the work of the Methuen Police Detective Division, and thanks the following law enforcement partners for their support and guidance: Lawrence Police Department, Essex County District Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service, and U.S. Immigrant and Customs Enforcement.
“From a policy standpoint, I am declaring war on human trafficking in the City of Methuen,” said Mayor D.J. Beauregard. “We will identify and apprehend traffickers, shut down every business in Methuen that profits from this evil, and hold landlords accountable if they harbor them — we will find you, and we are coming after you next. Methuen has zero tolerance for these terrible crimes in our city. I want to thank the Methuen Police Department and our state and federal law enforcement partners, Director Caeli Tegan Zampach of the Department of Health, Human Services and Inspections, and the concerned residents who made the initial reports for their combined efforts to crack down on the perpetrators of these crimes.”
These are allegations. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
###
Discover more from John Guilfoil Public Relations
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.