Investigation at Scottsburg business leads to Arrest

Cai-Yun Zheng

Anonymous tips regarding Energy Massage, a small business located on North Gardner Street in Scottsburg prompted an investigation and led to one arrest earlier this month on prostitution and false informing charges. After receiving tips that someone was living on the premises and that illegal activities were occurring there, Chief Steve Herald with the Scottsburg Police department then met with officers from other agencies throughout the state who conduct sex trade and human trafficking investigations. Through the work with the other agencies, online reviews were found that contained statements of explicit acts being performed at the business.

   A detective from an agency near the Indianapolis area visited the business in June to gather information under the excuse of scheduling an appointment. During the visit, there was a lack of standard procedures that are typically associated with a legitimate massage therapy business, such as health questionnaires and discussion of whether the massage is for pain management or specific problem areas, which are actually a requirement for licensing.

 Upon the detective's arrival an unidentified Asian female attempted to lead him directly to a massage room. She did not seem to speak English and used a cell phone app for translation. The officer explained he only wanted to make an appointment and left the business without receiving or accepting services. Through this visit, the detective determined the behavior of the female was more consistent with an illicit massage business, rather than a legitimate massage therapy business that follows professional standards and procedures.

  Another visit was made a few weeks later, on July 8, by a separate detective who has worked in various areas of the state and has extensive experience in these type of investigations. Upon his arrival, an unidentified Asian female took him to a massage room without a questionnaire or needs assessment and indicated she would perform sexual services. The detective left without receiving sexual services, paying only for the massage and stating he didn't have additional money with him.

  On August 6, the detective made an additional visit to Energy Massage, and was approached by the same female as on the previous visit, who took him immediately to a massage room, again without the questionnaire or needs assessment. After beginning the massage, she indicated she would perform additional services for added fees. The detective left without receiving the other services and paid only for the massage. After leaving, Scottsburg Chief Steve Herald applied for and was granted a search warrant for the business.

  After being granted the warrant, officers from the Scottsburg Police Department and officers from another agency that was working on the investigation executed the warrant at 710 N. Gardner St. Upon entering, the Asian female, who was the only person inside was detained. An officer from the other agency, who speaks fluent Chinese and acts as an interpreter as well as trains law enforcement on human trafficking, began speaking with the female. A Taiwanese passport was discovered on the premises identifying the female as Cai-Yun Zheng (age 57). She was transported to the Scottsburg Police Department for further interviewing to assess whether she was the victim of human trafficking. After being read her rights, she agreed to speak further with officers.

  According to the Probable Cause Affadavit, Zheng told the officers she is married and that her husband is still in Taiwan. She stated that she came to make money for her child in China and her brother who has cancer. She said she originally came to Chicago and learned massage from a friend, but she nor the friend had formal training or licensing. She later saw an online ad for a job here and had a Chinese Uber driver bring her here. She advised she had only been here for two days, despite the detective identifying her from the visit a month prior. She denied any sexual acts or propositioning sexual acts despite officer statements from the prior visits. She advised she was free to leave as she wanted and would walk to the grocery for food. She also advised that she did not know the name on the lease agreement that was found inside the store.

 In the Probable Cause Statement, she advised that her work was on commission and that she basically got to keep half. She stated that she did not know who the boss is and that the boss sends people to pick up money. During the execution of the warrant, $3,646 in US currency was found, along with denominations of foreign currency, and obvious signs that she was living in the building.

   No listing of the Energy Massage business was found to be registered in Scottsburg, or in Indiana, when investigators checked the Secretary of State website.

   Due to Zheng having possession of her passport, being able to walk freely, and provided false information, they determined she was not being trafficked or coerced. She was transported to the Scott County jail for two counts of prostitution.