Skip to Content

Woman charged after human trafficking uncovered at massage parlor

By Beau Bowman

Click here for updates on this story

    DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — Des Moines police have a suspect in custody after a monthslong investigation into human trafficking in the city.

“The most concerning piece is that when we went in there, they were doing business as we expected,” said Sgt. Paul Parizek with the Des Moines Police Department.

After neighbors complained about suspicious activity at a massage parlor in the 800 block of Hull Avenue, Des Moines police opened an investigation in January. A search warrant was executed on Wednesday, police say, during which three adult female victims were found in the business.

Police say there is evidence to indicate forced labor and commercial sexual activity.

“It looks like these victims they weren’t being allowed to have their identification documents and that’s one strong indicator when you look at these cases of someone who is being held and being forced to do something against their will,” Parizek said.

Investigators also found $80,000 in cash.

“That might give you an indicator of also the demand is out there and that’s very troubling because one of the challenges with this is you might rescue these three women arrest this one person, there is somebody waiting to fill that void,” Parizek said.

Huirong Zhou, 42, of Des Moines, was arrested and charged with three counts of human trafficking. Zhou was booked into the Polk County Jail.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Article Topic Follows: CNN - Regional

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

CNN Newsource

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KIFI Local News 8 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content