Lawrence Spa Owner Indicted For Human Trafficking: Prosecutor

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ — The owner of Fusion House in Lawrence and Golden China restaurant in Yardley has been indicted on charges of human trafficking, officials announced.

Chin Pang Liu, 48 of Lawrence Township, has been indicted on charges including one count of first-degree human trafficking, one count of second-degree false contract payment claims, one count of third-degree insurance fraud, three counts of third-degree filing a fraudulent return and two counts of first-degree financial facilitation of criminal activity.

Liu, 45-year-old Dong Teng and 34-year-old Yonglian Liu were arrested in November 2018 following a two-year investigation into money laundering, tax evasion, prostitution and human trafficking.

Teng owns Anna Nails and Massage on Brunswick Pike in Lawrence. Yonglian Liu was an employee of Chin Pang Liu. Read more here: 3 Busted In Prostitution Ring At Lawrence Restaurants, Spa: Cops

“This is a classic case of people being isolated, exploited and trapped in a forced-labor situation,” Onofri said at the time. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to rescue these vulnerable victims and ensure human traffickers face strict punishment.”

He also thanked the public and asked citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to the local police department.

“Residents are our eyes and ears, and continue to be a valuable asset to public safety. They are often the first to recognize something is wrong and alert us, so we can investigate.”

The investigation began in September 2016 when Lawrence Township police received a tip from a resident regarding many people living in a home on Lakedale Drive. The home was owned by Chin Pang Liu. Police reached out to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Economic Crime Unit (ECU).

During the investigation, authorities said they saw numerous men and women going back and forth between the Lawrence Township home and restaurants in both Lawrence and Yardley. Chin Pang Liu is accused of transporting workers back and forth.

Detectives also learned that those who were living in the house were illegally employed by Liu. They were being paid less than minimum wage without that income being reported or taxed, and full-time employees received no benefits, according to authorities. Liu bought and provided the cars that transported the employees back and forth.

Yonglian Liu, was a frequent patron of the spa, according to authorities. He was often seen taking cash from the spa to Golden China Restaurant. Detectives determined that the restaurant and spa were sites used in a prostitution ring.

During the execution of a search warrant at Liu's home, detectives said they seized $50,000 in U.S. currency. Liu reported an income of $100,000 for 2016, according to authorities. Financial documents and cash seized during the execution of the search warrants confirmed that Liu failed to report a majority of his income.

The human trafficking charge is a first-degree offense, carrying a sentence of 20 years without parole to life in prison and a fine of up to $200,000 if convicted.

The indictment is the result of an investigation led by Detective Sean Kerins of the Lawrence Township Police Department and Detective David Petelle of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Economic Crime Unit. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Rachel Cook, chief of the ECU.

Onofri credited the investigative work of Detectives Kerins and Petelle, and thanked the following agencies and all of their members who provided support and resources:

• Lawrence Township Police Department
• Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force, Special Investigations Unit and Special Victims Unit
• Mercer County Tactical Response Team
• Mercer County Sheriff’s Office
• New Jersey State Police
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
• U.S. Homeland Security Investigations/Enforcement Removal Operations
• New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness
• New Jersey Division of Taxation
• New Jersey Department of the Treasury
• U.S. Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force
• Bucks County District Attorney’s Office