By: Sarah Stark
TONTITOWN, Ark. (UATV) – A local woman was arrested and charged in connection with a prostitution investigation.
Yanling Tang, 61, was arrested for second-degree prostitution on Feb. 9 in Tontitown. According to a preliminary report and probable cause affidavit, an investigation into “F Spa Massage Parlor” began on Nov. 3, 2023 after police received a complaint that a spa and massage parlor had offered to perform sexual acts in exchange for money.
After an investigation, a search warrant was executed for the parlor on Feb. 9., according to the affidavit. During the search, Tang was found, along with her personal effects. Officials believe that Tang was living at the business, according to the affidavit.
The original complaint officials received was corroborated by several original complaints throughout the investigation, according to an official preliminary report. Officials determined that Tang had coordinated services and booked appointments for customers who wanted to pay for sexual acts.
The original complainant identified Tang’s photograph as both the person who he paid for his massage and who had inquired about the kind of service he was paying for, according to the affidavit.
Tang was detained on Feb. 9 and released on the twelfth, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. Her bond was set for $10,000.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline has identified 557 cases of human trafficking with 1,492 victims in Arkansas since its creation in 2007. The majority of these were to do with sex trafficking. In 2021, the hotline identified 74 cases of human trafficking in Arkansas, 62 of which were to do with sex.