NY woman charged with human trafficking at North Londonderry Twp. spa
Matthew TothNa Wei, 41, of New York, has been charged with multiple counts of human trafficking after an investigation into a North Londonderry Township massage parlor that investigators allege was performing sexual favors.
Wei was also charged with two counts of involuntary servitude, two counts of promoting prostitution and corrupt organizations.
On April 20, the Lebanon County Detective Bureau was contacted by the North Londonderry Twp. Police Department about a resident who had been solicited for sexual services during a massage appointment. The resident said he went to New Venus Spa, located at 1091 East Main St.
"During the massage, the female worker made a jerking motion with her hand and asked him if he wanted that," officials said in court documents. "This resident indicated he was shocked and immediately told her 'No.' She then laughed and said, 'Oh you just want a massage?'"
Law enforcement obtained ads for New Venus Spa on a website dedicated to online escort/dating platforms for individuals posting advertisements seeking male customers. The New Venus Spa ads included photos of scantily clad women and suggestive language about the services provided, according to court documents.
"The vast majority of advertisements on this website are posted to offer sexual services and is oftentimes used by traffickers to exploit their victims," the detective's report stated.
On May 26, an undercover law enforcement officer paid for a massage at the New Venus Spa. According to court documents, a female employee allegedly indicated she would offer sexual favors for an additional tip.
Later that same day, law enforcement executed a search warrant on the North Londonderry location. Among the items seized was 396 condoms hidden in various locations, more than $17,000 in U.S. currency, and financial records, including a lease and bank checks, tying Wei to the property.
Two women were working at the New Venus Spa when police executed the search warrant. According to law enforcement's report, one worker allegedly said she performed sexual services to customers in exchange for money.
"She provided these extra services because she needed to make more money to send to family members," officers said in court documents. "She also added that the boss told workers they had to perform these sex acts and were required to work 7 days a week from 9 a.m.-10 p.m."
The second worker would not provide information to law enforcement. Officials did not release the names of these workers in court documents.
During examinations of the phones seized during the search, officers allegedly found phone records and WeChat messages between Wei and the workers. During these conversations, they allegedly discussed performing sexual acts with customers.
"It appeared Wei owned and/or managed other spas, in addition to New Venus Spa, as some of these conversations made reference to other locations," law enforcement said in court documents. "These conversations also discussed the money that was being made at the spa."
Wei allegedly made arrangements for couriers to pick up the money made by workers at the spa. One worker recalled allegedly providing money on at least one occasion to a person sent at the behest of Wei.
Wei's preliminary hearing hearing had not been scheduled as of Sept. 8.
Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at [email protected] or on X at @DAMattToth.