Charges have been filed against the suspected owners of two Las Cruces massage parlors that were believed to be providing illegal services to their male clientele in 2011.
An Sun Lee, 64, and Danny Yoonsung Hwang, 55, both of San Bernardino, Calif., were both indicted by a grand jury last week.
Lee faces charges of promoting prostitution by owning or managing the Bally Hot Stone Spa that in 2011 was located at 1685 Don Roser Dr. in Las Cruces. Lee also faces counts of promoting prostitution by entering into a lease agreement for a brothel, promoting prostitution, receiving compensation from prostitution and transporting a person to engage in prostitution.
Hwang is charged with two counts of promoting prostitution by owning or managing Bally Hot Stone Spa and the Green Hot Stone Spa which in 2011 was located at 2903 Hillrise Dr. in Las Cruces. Hwang also faces counts of promoting prostitution by entering into a lease agreement for a brothel, promoting prostitution, receiving compensation from prostitution and transporting a person to engage in prostitution. He also faces one count of extortion for allegedly threatening to disclose the immigration status of a Korean national who was employed at the business.
On Aug. 24, 2011, Las Cruces Police and agents from the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed search warrants at the two businesses. Two days later, charges were filed against three women employed at the parlors and suspected of providing illegal services.
Investigators subsequently learned the identity of the owners of Bally Hot Stone Spa and Green Hot Stone Spa.
In April 2011 Las Cruces Police learned of Bally’s from an advertisement on Craigslist. Investigators also found erotic assessments of Bally’s and Green Hot Stone Spa on Internet sites that cater to and review escort services. Between April and August 2011, undercover agents visited both establishments and were offered sexual services in exchange for cash. The agents did not accept the offers but did gather enough evidence to support the search warrants.
Arrest warrants have been obtained for An Sun Lee and Danny Yoonsung Hwang. Lee’s current whereabouts are unknown but Hwang is believed to reside in California.
Information from Las Cruces Police