Details released after massage parlor suspects charged with human trafficking - Purdue Exponent

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New details related to the alleged human trafficking at a Lafayette massage parlor have been released after the two initial suspects were charged Wednesday.

Lafayette police concluded an 11-month investigation into Royal Massage and The Kokomo Massage, based in Kokomo, last week when they arrested the parlors’ owners, 37-year-old Airu Wang and 39-year-old De Yang Yu.

Upon searching Wang’s house, police reportedly found seven 1-ounce gold bars, several stacks of cash totaling over $93,000 and lots of tissues and cleaning supplies “similar to the supplies used in Royal Massage and The Kokomo Massage,” according to a probable cause affidavit filed Wednesday.

At Yu’s residence, police also found one 1-ounce gold bar and stacks of cash totaling about $23,000 among several wallets, a five-gallon bag of packaged condoms, a one-quart bag of packaged condoms, dozens of massage tables, foam mats, bedding and pillows, lingerie and business signs.



De Yang Yu, 39, faces charges of human trafficking, promoting prostitution, corrupt business influence, money laundering and failure to remit taxes held in trust.

Photo provided by Tippecanoe County Jail



Airu Wang, 37, faces charges of human trafficking, promoting prostitution, corrupt business influence, money laundering and failure to remit taxes held in trust.

Photo provided by Tippecanoe County Jail

The investigation began last January, following “several citizen complaints regarding local businesses offering sexual services in exchange for United States currency,” according to the affidavit.

Police reportedly found advertisements for Royal Massage on a website where people can find escorts and prostitutes as well as local massage parlors and strip clubs that offer sexual services.

Royal Massage also reportedly appeared in several reviews posted on another website populated by clients of escorts and massage parlors.

Two officers then conducted surveillance at the parlor and reportedly noticed lots of male-only traffic at the business.

“Multiple male visitors to the business would park their car a distance away and approach the business on foot, often via an indirect route,” the affidavit said. The men were reportedly often wearing hats or hoods and walked into the business with their heads down or while talking on the phone.


A Battle Ground officer went undercover at Royal Massage on Dec. 10 and Jan. 7, reportedly receiving offers for sexual services in exchange for money both times he went for a massage.

On the first occasion, the officer and a female employee agreed on $50 for a half-hour massage. The officer undressed, laid face down on the table, covered himself with a towel and the woman massaged him.

She then instructed him to turn over, “asked what he wanted and grabbed (his) genitals,” according to the affidavit. When asked what was available, the woman reportedly replied “fuck,” and made a “hip thrusting motion” while pumping her arms next to her waist.

The woman then pointed to her mouth, according to the affidavit, and said it would cost $100. She also told the officer “four hands” was also available. The officer and woman reportedly agreed on $150 for sexual intercourse before the officer declined, saying he didn’t have enough money and would come back another day.

The woman reportedly took the officer to the front of the business to an ATM and suggested he make a withdrawal, assuring him there was no fee and it would not track location.

The second time the officer went undercover, he reportedly met another woman at the parlor and agreed to a half-hour massage for $50. He once again undressed and laid face down with a towel covering him, but this time the woman began offering sexual services and touching the officers’ genitals.

The officer immediately got up to leave and she said “OK, just massage,” so he reportedly stayed for what was left of the half hour massage.

Officers also went undercover at The Kokomo Massage, with an Indiana State Police officer in October followed by the Battle Ground officer on Dec. 17.

During police interviews, all four female employees said they moved to Indiana from New York after seeing advertisements to work in massage therapy. The two women from Royal Massage, denoted as Victims 1 and 2 in the affidavit, reportedly admitted to giving sexual services in exchange for money and placing money in a desk for the business owners to receive.

The victims told police they did not earn income on legitimate 30-minute massages, only making money from client tips for those services.

Police also discovered the victims reportedly lived in the businesses, paying $10 a day and leaving only to buy groceries.

Wang and Yu face are both charged with two counts of human trafficking and one of promoting prostitution as well as several financial crimes.

Auditors from the Indiana Department of Revenue discovered Royal Massage was not registered as a retail merchant and The Kokomo Massage never filed Articles of Organization, so both businesses were not in compliance with Indiana sales taxes.

“(Auditors) believe De Yang Yu and Aira Wang failed to collect and report Indiana Sales Tax,” according to the affidavit. They believe up to $39,000 in taxes have not been paid. The offense is a level 6 felony.

Wang and Yu’s other charges include corrupt business influence, money laundering and failure to remit taxes held in trust. As of Wednesday night, they are both still in Tippecanoe County Jail, with bond posted at $750,000.

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