POWELL — Law enforcement officers arrested and charged a Worthington woman with promoting prostitution and money laundering after they searched a massage spa in Powell where she worked.
Yixiang He, 51, was charged with one count of promoting prostitution and one count of money laundering, according to the Delaware County Common Pleas Court records.
She was booked into the Delaware County Jail after the Powell Police Department executed a search warrant at K Spa, located at 240 N. Liberty St, on Monday.
Chief Ron Sallows said the warrant was the result of a months-long investigation into suspected illegal activities at the business.
Court records show the business posted online ads on sex websites, and reviews indicate that the business performed sex acts on-site.
Surveillance of the business found that more than 90 percent of the spa’s clients were male, and trash pulled from the business included tissues with bodily fluids.
Court records also note officers observed He transporting multiple young Asian females to and from the business. Authorities also found that He made large cash deposits on several separate occasions.
The Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, Powell Police Department, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission are all involved in the investigation.
He is the listed owner of the spa, according to court records.
Delaware County Judge Richard Fry set He’s cash bond at $300,000 during the initial appearance on May 19.
The state requested bond be set at $500,000.
If convicted of both felony charges, He could face anywhere between 15 and 54 months in prison.
The court scheduled a preliminary hearing for May 28 at 3 p.m., but will cancel it if a grand jury indicts He.
Operation Spring Cleaning
The investigation into the Powell massage parlor was one part of a larger state initiative by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost to shut down these operations for good.
“The Asian massage parlors are everywhere. As soon as we close one down, they open back up. That’s why we launched Operations Spring Cleaning. We’re shutting down massage parlors tied to exploitation. We’re targeting online predators seeking minors,” Yost said in a video presented at a Thursday press conference.
The statewide human trafficking operation resulted in the arrests of 122 people seeking to buy sex, including from minors. The operation also included:
- 38 people arrested on felony charges, including promoting prostitution, compelling prostitution, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, trafficking in persons, and drug possession and/or trafficking.
- And 84 “johns” seeking to buy sex were arrested and charged with engaging in prostitution or solicitation.
Yost said there have been more than 1,065 arrests due to this operation since 2019.
“Our work through my human trafficking initiative has strengthened the partnerships between law enforcement and the other providers of services, allowing survivors to enter treatment, even providing safe houses, where there is physical danger. So grateful for the social organizations that work with us and partner in this mission,” Yost said.
Yost’s message is simple: “Don’t buy sex in Ohio.”
Powell Police Chief Ron Sallows also spoke at the press conference.
“Human trafficking is a crime that exploits a vulnerable people for profit, strips individuals of their dignity and threatens the safety and moral fabric of our communities,” Sallows said.
“It is often hidden plain sight, operating behind closed doors while victims suffer in silence.”
