TRENTON, NJ (May 28, 2026) — A New Jersey husband and wife admitted in federal court to promoting prostitution through a network of illicit massage parlors in New Jersey and New York, including a New Rochelle spa where women allegedly provided sexual services to customers for cash payments.
Zhejun Piao, 38, and Miyeon Choi, also known as “Maya,” 38, both of Palisades Park, New Jersey, pleaded guilty May 26 before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in Trenton federal court, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
Both defendants pleaded guilty to an Information charging one count of conspiracy to commit interstate travel and use of the mail and any facility in aid of a racketeering enterprise.
Federal prosecutors said the conspiracy involved nine massage parlors, including New Soothing Day Spa in New Rochelle, New York.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the spas operated in a similar manner, with women workers allegedly providing sexual services to paying customers for fees of $160 or $175. Prosecutors said many of the spas used loyalty or rewards cards that offered customers a free visit after collecting a certain number of stamps.
The businesses were typically open from about 8 a.m. until midnight seven days a week, with many of the women living at the spas, prosecutors said. Ledgers for the spas showed some women allegedly performed sexual services for about 20 men per day.
Choi admitted she was a leader or organizer of the conspiracy, according to prosecutors. Authorities said she recruited women to work at the spas, communicated with customers by phone to book appointments, controlled money generated by the businesses and advertised sexual services online.
Prosecutors also said Choi directed co-conspirators by assigning tasks such as delivering groceries and condoms to the spas and delegating customer communications and appointment recordkeeping.
Piao admitted delivering supplies to the spas, including groceries, mouthwash, cleaning supplies, medications and condoms, according to prosecutors. He also admitted picking up ledgers, receipts and cash proceeds from the businesses.
Federal authorities said the couple admitted storing tens of thousands of condoms and about $1.2 million in cash at their home. As part of the guilty pleas, the defendants agreed to forfeit the cash, designer handbags, luxury watches and jewelry.
The nine spas identified by prosecutors were:
- Coco Spa in Paterson, New Jersey;
- Gold Spa and 785 Spa in Passaic, New Jersey;
- 365 Spa in Fairview, New Jersey;
- Queen Spa and Hawaii Spa in Edgewater, New Jersey;
- Good Day Spa in East Brunswick, New Jersey;
- Spa Wellness in Toms River, New Jersey; and
- New Soothing Day Spa in New Rochelle, New York.
The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 6, 2026.
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer credited Homeland Security Investigations Newark, the U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security Service and the New Jersey State Police, along with numerous local, state and federal agencies that participated in the investigation, including the New Rochelle Police Department and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey S. Smith of the Criminal Division in Newark.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
Have information about this story? Email robertcox@talkofthesound (preferred) or contact via WhatsApp: +353 089 972 0669.
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