Maryland Spa Owner Charged With Human Trafficking

The owner of two Maryland spas was arrested after a three-month investigation uncovered evidence of human trafficking, Montgomery County Police said.

Tin Tuan Lu, 37, was charged with four counts of human trafficking. Police said some of Lu’s female employees made extra money by performing sexual acts for the spa’s customers.

Detectives from the Vice and Intelligence Section began investigating the case in November after receiving a tip that two establishments owned by Lu, Star Foot Spa and Sun Foot Spa, were linked to prostitution, police said.

The two businesses are located next door to each other on Hungerford Drive in Rockville.

Lu drove six-to-eight women between the spa and his home each work day, police said. Some of the women were engaging in sex acts for money, police said.

The women are from New York, police said.

Detectives searched both spas March 10 and found seven women later determined to be from New York, police said. Eight days later, detectives got an arrest warrant. Lu turned himself into police March 23. He was released on $50,000 bond.

Police described warning signs that someone you meet may be a victim of trafficking, including:

  • Multiple people living in a cramped space and/or living with their employer.
  • Employer holding employee’s identification documents.
  • Inability to speak with the individual alone.
  • Submissive or fearful behavior by employee.

The investigators uged anyone with information about suspected human trafficking to contact the Vice and Intelligence Section at 240-773-5959.

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