FROM STAFF REPORTS

Three women face charges related to the solicitation of prostitution following an investigation by the Statesville Police Department.

The SPD announced the arrests of Mei Qun Hu, 54; Juhua Wan, 46; and Hong Du, 60, in a news release on Wednesday. The charges stem from illicit activities at Breeze Spa, located at 226 Signal Hill Drive in Statesville, police said.

The SPD began launched an investigation in October 2023 after receiving reports about instances of inappropriate touching and solicitation for sexual acts during massages at Breeze Spa.

In response to these reports, undercover investigators were deployed multiple times. During these visits, the investigators were offered sexual services in exchange for payment, police said.

Investigators discovered that the owner of Breeze Spa also operated A-1 Spa in Monroe, where  authorities discovered similar activities at A-1 Spa, subsequently which was subsequently renamed Yan Spa.

Even after the apparent sale of both businesses, undercover operations revealed that the illicit activities persisted, police said.

On March 28, the investigation culminated with the arrests of the three women associated with Breeze Spa:

Hu who was identified as the manager, was charged with Felony Promotion of Prostitution and unlicensed massage therapy.

Wan was charged with Solicitation of Prostitution and unlicensed massage therapy.

Du was charged for practicing massage therapy without a license.

The Statesville Police Department expresses gratitude to the Monroe Police Department, the Winston-Salem Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations for their collaboration and support in this case.

The investigation remains ongoing, with the possibility of additional arrests as new information emerges.