The manager of a spa in Methuen has been arrested on human trafficking and prostitution charges after an investigation that was launched due to complaints from residents, Methuen Police Chief Scott McNamara said.
Suping Zhu, 38, of Flushing, New York, has been arrested on charges of deriving support from prostitution, keeping a house of ill fame, and trafficking a person for sexual servitude, according to a statement issued by McNamara on Sunday.
Officers executing a search warrant at Beauty Garden Spa on Wallace Street on Sept. 4 found living quarters for two women in the basement and the Department of Health, Human Services, and Inspections 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.”
On Friday, Zhu was taken into custody without incident on the arrest warrant and was arraigned Monday in Lawrence District Court.
Police said they began investigating the business in May, 2023 when it was named Silky Rose Spa. In the last 90 days, they said they watched its activity, talked to customers, then sent in an undercover officer who they said was solicited for sex.
Beth Foote, a woman who lives near the spa, said she took photos of women who were dropped off at the business with luggage. She said some women were even brought by bus to work.
“They reported to us they were forced to work 12 hour days, 7 days a week, and they didn’t leave the property very often. They were more or less held inside of that property and subjected to this awful behavior,” said McNamara.
“It’s a spa! How may times do you go into a spa and there’s 40 guys going in and out in one day? It was not suspicious, it was blatant,” Foote said.
In court Monday, Zhu’s attorney maintained the 38-year-old was not involved in the scheme.
“There’s no evidence she herself was procuring any of these individuals to be able to work at this business. There’s no evidence she herself was doing any of this,” said Bryan Kermin, Zhu’s attorney.
While the case works its way through the court system, Methuen Mayor D.J. Beauregard said this should serve as a warning to others operating similar businesses.
“We are declaring war on human trafficking in the city of Methuen,” said Beauregard. “If you are engaged in these crimes, we will find you, we are coming after you next.”
“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 Beauty Garden Spa has remained closed since the search warrant was served. Additional charges are possible as an ongoing investigation continues.
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