Toms River police described Operation Lucky Kitty as a joint-agency investigation into massage parlors allegedly operating as fronts for prostitution and money laundering. The nine-month probe ended with six arrests, nearly $116,000 in cash seized, and search warrants executed at four massage parlors in Toms River and a home in Fort Lee.
The investigation began after a citizen complained about suspected prostitution at a local massage parlor, according to Patch. Detectives later identified establishments they believed were connected to the operation and funneling money through northern New Jersey, extending the inquiry into Ocean and Bergen counties.
On Oct. 19, investigators searched four Toms River massage parlors and a home in Fort Lee, seizing nearly $116,000 in cash and two vehicles, Patch reported. The vehicles are subject to civil forfeiture proceedings. The Toms River Police Department’s Special Enforcement Team led the operation.
Charges Filed in the Investigation
The charges reported by Patch, citing the Toms River PBA, include second- and third-degree money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering, promoting prostitution, maintaining a house of prostitution, and obstruction by flight. The PBA account did not name those arrested, and the identities of all six defendants have not been publicly confirmed there.
Jersey Shore Online reported that one search targeted New Day Spa, at 1231-7 Route 166 in Toms River, and that investigators identified In S. Hwang as the establishment’s manager. The outlet also noted that a March 2019 Daily Voice account had identified Hwang as one of three women charged after an undercover investigation at 17 Spa in Carlstadt.
Covenant House Steps In for Potential Trafficking Victims
Covenant House NJ was present during the searches and provided immediate resources and assistance to people identified as potential human trafficking victims, Patch reported. The operation involved Toms River police units, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force and its Economic Crimes and High Tech Crimes units, Homeland Security Investigations Atlantic City, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Statewide Context for Victim Support
A New Jersey Commission on Human Trafficking report covering 2016-2019 described task-force meetings as a way for victim-service providers, law enforcement and other state agencies to coordinate support for victims during enforcement operations. Separately, Covenant House New Jersey says its statewide human-trafficking services include 24/7 call-center support, case management and case coordination for survivors of any age or housing status.
The charges remain allegations, and the case has not been resolved in court. The number of people identified as potential trafficking victims and the eventual outcome of the vehicle forfeiture proceedings are unclear.
Not the First Spa Case to Hit the Jersey Shore
A separate federal case involving nine spas, including Spa Wellness in South Toms River, was reported by Jersey Shore Online. Defendants Zhejun Piao and Miyeon Choi each pleaded guilty in May to one count of conspiracy to commit interstate travel and use of the mail or another facility in aid of a racketeering enterprise. That case was prosecuted separately from the Toms River raids.
The U.S. Department of Justice has also announced charges against four people accused of operating illicit massage parlors across New Jersey and New York. No connection between that federal case and Operation Lucky Kitty has been established.
