New details emerge in Northwest Arkansas massage parlor raids

Yahoo

06-03-2025

ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A recently filed affidavit sheds new light on the January raids of multiple Northwest Arkansas massage parlors as part of Operation Obscured Vision, led by Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin.
The operation, aimed at combating human trafficking in Arkansas, resulted in the arrests of three individuals in Rogers.
The following people were arrested in connection with the raids:
Chunli Wang, 51 – Second-degree sexual assault
Yuhe Yang, 70 – Trafficking of persons, engaging in a continuing criminal gang, organization, or enterprise
David Whited, 63 – Trafficking of persons, engaging in a continuing criminal gang, organization, or enterprise
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The investigation began on June 19, 2023, when an anonymous caller reported to Rogers police that while receiving a massage at Tulip Spa, a woman took extra money from his wallet and exposed her breasts, according to a probable cause affidavit.
When officers attempted to make contact at the business, employees fled out the back door. Two workers, who had traveled from California, stated they found the job listing on a Chinese website.
Authorities also said in the affidavit that two other employees appeared to be living inside the business, sleeping on beds in the back.
According to the affidavit, Tulip Spa, Stream Massage, and Ping Massage were linked as part of a network where the suspects held management roles:
Tulip Spa – David Whited (owner), Chunli Wang (manager)
Stream Massage – Chunli Wang (owner)
Ping Massage – David Whited (owner)
Yuhe Yang was identified as the 'runner,' coordinating business operations. Investigators found multiple anonymous online reviews describing sexual services at the three spas, and ads for Tulip Spa were found on an escort website as early as December 2021 and as recently as September 2023.
Similar ads for Ping Massage appeared in January 2025, mentioning 'happy endings.'
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In August 2023, during a traffic stop, a man allegedly admitted to police that he had engaged in multiple sex acts at Tulip Spa.
Undercover operations confirmed these claims. In 2025, an undercover Rogers Police Department (RPD) detective visited Tulip Spa while wearing a wire. A worker offered sexual services in exchange for money, which the detective declined.
The next day, a Stream Massage worker told the detective he could 'touch her sexually,' with or without clothing, though penetration was not allowed.
A Benton County Sheriff's Office detective had a similar encounter at Ping Massage on Jan. 22, 2025.
The affidavit alleges poor working conditions for employees at the spas. Workers were reportedly living inside the businesses without personal transportation and employees allegedly worked seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Yang is accused of monitoring employees via security cameras. Employees were allegedly only paid if they had customers:
$20 for a one-hour massage
$40 for a 90-minute massage
No pay for 30-minute massages
Workers were allegedly forced to pay $25 per day to live at the business. Yang and Wang are accused of pressuring workers to perform sexual acts to earn more money.
One worker told investigators she was warned by Yang that talking to law enforcement would affect her immigration record.
After police reassured her, she broke down in tears and provided more details, according to court documents. Employees also said they were not allowed to leave until other women arrived to replace them.
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On Jan. 23, 2025, search warrants were executed at:
Tulip Spa and Stream Massage (Rogers Police Department & Arkansas State Police)
Ping Massage (Benton County Sheriff's Office)
At least four women were found inside and transported for interviews. One woman told police that Whited was the 'boss,' and that Yang allegedly handled hiring and transportation. However, she denied that sexual services occurred.
Yuhe Yang admitted he was the 'runner' but claimed he did not know about sexual services, according to court documents.
Whited allegedly stated he agreed to lease buildings for Yang as a 'favor' but told him no illegal activity should occur. He also claimed he forgot his name was on utility and bank accounts due to a stroke 13 years ago.
The suspects are scheduled to appear in court on the following dates:
Yang – March 17
Wang – March 10
Whited – March 24
This is a developing story. KNWA/FOX24 will provide updates as they come.
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