Evansville, Indiana – An Evansville woman and a man now in custody in Virginia are at the center of a wide-ranging investigation into illegal activity at a Bloomington, Indiana, massage parlor that allegedly served as a front for prostitution and other criminal offenses.
On Friday night, the Ellettsville Police Department (EPD) confirmed that 51-year-old Zhonggiang Teng was arrested in Winchester, Virginia, on March 30. Teng, who owned the Sun Flower 99 Spa located on West Richland Plaza Drive in Bloomington, was identified as the key figure behind a series of corrupt business operations uncovered during a months-long investigation.
Police say the operation came to light after they received an anonymous tip in mid-October 2024. The tip alleged that acts of prostitution were taking place within the premises of the Sun Flower 99 Spa. From there, EPD launched a detailed surveillance and investigative effort that spanned three months.
Following the investigation, Teng was preliminarily charged with a range of serious offenses. These include two counts of prostitution, corrupt business influence, possession of child pornography, failure to remit proper sales taxes, and failure to produce required tax documents. In addition, he faces five misdemeanor prostitution charges and, surprisingly, one Class C misdemeanor for the unlawful possession of an eastern box turtle.
Meanwhile, 43-year-old Xueren Chen of Evansville was also arrested in connection to the case. She faces two felony counts of promoting prostitution and one count of corrupt business influence. She was also charged with four misdemeanor counts of prostitution. Authorities have not yet detailed her specific role in the business operations but indicated she played a part in promoting illicit activity at the spa.
The break in locating Teng came when a license plate reader in Virginia detected a vehicle tied to him and triggered an alert. Virginia police responded swiftly, taking Teng into custody based on an active warrant issued in Indiana. He is currently being held at a Virginia detention facility under a No Bond Extradition Warrant. He is expected to be transported back to Monroe County to face charges in the near future.
Authorities say the investigation into Sun Flower 99 Spa is part of a broader push to crack down on human trafficking and sex work being conducted under the guise of legitimate businesses. EPD emphasized that such crimes are often complex and involve coordination with multiple law enforcement agencies across state lines.
The Ellettsville Police Department has not disclosed whether additional arrests are expected, but they indicated that the investigation remains active. Community members are encouraged to report suspicious activity and provide tips that may aid in uncovering further unlawful operations.
As of now, both suspects await their day in court. Authorities say their priority is ensuring justice for any individuals exploited as part of the alleged prostitution scheme and ensuring that businesses engaged in illegal activity are held accountable under the law.
