5 Arrested in Operating Sex Spa in Providence, No Customers Charged

5 Arrested in Operating Sex Spa in Providence, No Customers Charged

The Rhode Island State Police on Friday announced that on Thursday, five individuals were arrested following an extensive investigation into illicit commercial sexual activity and money laundering at Smilers Day Spa, located at 1185 North Main Street, Providence.  

 

The Rhode Island State Police Special Victims Unit initiated the investigation in October of 2025, after receiving a confidential tip that commercial sexual activity was occurring at the family-owned and operated massage parlor. 

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Initial investigation revealed the spa had been closed and raided in the past for prostitution and suspected human trafficking, with the last time being in 2019. 

 

Dozens of Customers

“Detectives furthered the investigation by conducting undercover operations, conducting surveillance, and serving over fifty search warrants for various financial institutions, cash applications, and tax records. Detectives saw only men consistently frequenting the massage parlor, most days between twenty-five (25) and forty (40) men,” said the State Police.

 

Despite the traffic of the customers, not one of them has been charged according to the State Police press release.

 

Questions regarding the customers and why they were not charged have been asked of the State Police and Attorney General Peter Neronha’s office. Neither has responded at the time of publication.

 

Smilers Day Spa was the subject of online reviews, making clear that sexual acts were being performed in exchange for money. The investigation established evidence that the owners and operators of Smilers Day Spa conspired to run a commercial sexual activity establishment and then money launder the proceeds of the illicit criminal activity. The women suspected of being engaged in sex work resided full-time within the commercially leased property.

 

And according to the the agency,  State Police Detective Bureau, in collaboration with, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Connecticut State Police, Norwich Police Department, and Johnston Police Department executed multiple search warrants, including Smilers Day Spa, 36 Kirkbrae Drive, Lincoln, and 23 Allyn Avenue, Norwich, Connecticut 06360. 

 

In total, $81,579.42 in cash was seized as a result of the searches.     

 

As a result of this joint investigation, the following individuals were arrested:

 

Larry Chow, age 65, of Allyn Avenue, Norwich, CT

 

·      Pandering or Permitting Prostitution - Felony

·      Laundering of Monetary Instruments - Felony

·      Keeping or Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Felony

·      Violation of Workers Compensation Laws – Felony

·      Violation of Payment of Wages Laws (3 counts) - Felony

·      Conspiracy to Commit the Crime of Laundering of Monetary Instruments - Felony

·      Conspiracy to Commit the Crime of Pandering or Permitting Prostitution - Felony

·      Conspiracy to Commit the Crime of Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Felony

·      Fugitive From Justice (arrested in Connecticut)

 

Naja Ho, age 70, Kirkbrae Drive, Lincoln, RI

 

·      Pandering or Permitting Prostitution - Felony

·      Laundering of Monetary Instruments - Felony

·      Keeping or Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Felony

·      Violation of Workers Compensation Laws – Felony

·      Violation of Payment of Wages Laws (3 counts) - Felony

·      Conspiracy to Commit the Crime of Laundering of Monetary Instruments - Felony

·      Conspiracy to Commit the Crime of Pandering or Permitting Prostitution - Felony

·      Conspiracy to Commit the Crime of Maintaining a Common Nuisance - Felony

·      Violation of Casino Gaming Laws - Felony

 

Monica Chow, age 33, of Kirkbrae Drive, Lincoln, RI

 

·      Pandering or Permitting Prostitution - Felony

·      Laundering of Monetary Instruments - Felony

·      Keeping or Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Felony

·      Violation of Workers Compensation Laws – Felony

·      Violation of Payment of Wages Laws (3 counts) - Felony

·      Conspiracy to Commit the Crime of Laundering of Monetary Instruments - Felony

·      Conspiracy to Commit the Crime of Pandering or Permitting Prostitution - Felony

·      Conspiracy to Commit the Crime of Maintaining a Common Nuisance - Felony

·      Violation of Casino Gaming Laws – Felony

 

Yong Kim, age 67, of Beech Ave, Flushing, NY

·      Pandering or Permitting Prostitution - Felony

·      Keeping or Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Felony

·      Conspiracy to Commit the Crime of Pandering or Permitting Prostitution - Felony

·      Conspiracy to Commit the Crime of Maintaining a Common Nuisance - Felony

 

 Haiyue Cui, age 30, of Kirkbrae Drive, Lincoln, RI

·      Laundering of Monetary Instruments - Felony

·      Conspiracy to Commit the Crime of Laundering of Monetary Instruments - Felony

·      Violation of Casino Gaming Laws - Felony

 

According to the State Police, “the investigation was supported through a multidisciplinary approach. Detectives worked with prosecutors from the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office from the early stages of the investigation.”

 

Further, according to the State Police, detectives were able to provide support to the recovered victims in collaboration with members of Family Services of Rhode Island, the Sojourner House, FBI Victim Service Advocates, Safe Futures, Providence Fire Department, and Grace Harbor Church.  As a result of this investigation, four suspected victims were provided with critical support services, including housing, counseling, and medical care. These efforts reflect a continued commitment to combating human trafficking and supporting survivors on their path to recovery.