Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, Woodland Park Police Chief John Uzzalino, and Homeland Security Investigations, Newark Office, Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel, announce the arrests of Jin F. Cao, 50, and Zhen X. Zhou, 57, both of Woodland Park, following a multiagency investigation into an illicit massage business in Woodland Park.
Ms. Cao and Ms. Zhou are each charged with third-degree Conspiracy to Promote Prostitution, a violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1(b)(2) and N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2(a)(1), and a disorderly persons offense of Engaging in Prostitution, a violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1(b)(8).
During the course of the investigation, law enforcement received information that Tokyo Foot Spa in Woodland Park was offering commercial sexual services while operating under the pretense of being a massage therapy business.
On April 5, 2023, members of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, Woodland Park Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, and Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office executed a search warrant at Tokyo Foot Spa in Woodland Park. The search resulted in $11,652.00 being uncovered and seized as suspected proceeds of criminal activity.
Both defendants were charged by way of a complaint-summons and were released pending future court proceedings. The sentencing exposure on a third-degree Conspiracy to Promote Prostitution is three to five years in New Jersey State Prison, and on a disorderly persons offense of Engaging in Prostitution, it is up to six months in county jail.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident or other incidents regarding these individuals to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO.