Owner of illegal Lewiston massage parlor arrested for sex trafficking - MSN

[Russ Reed]

A New York man who owned an illegal massage parlor in Maine is in custody on multiple charges, including sex trafficking, according to police.


The Lewiston Police Department said that it became aware of the illicit massage parlor operating on Sabattus Street in March.

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Police said the owner of the business was identified as Brooklyn resident Richard Qiu, who is associated with several massage parlors throughout Maine.

Investigators executed two search warrants on the Lewiston property and identified two suspected human trafficking victims, according to authorities. Police said investigators also found video recording equipment, condoms and more than $12,000 in suspected sex trafficking proceeds while executing those warrants.

Qiu was indicted by an Androscoggin County grand jury in July and a warrant was issued for his arrest with bail set at $100,000.

The Lewiston Police Department announced Wednesday that Qiu was arrested Friday, Sept. 6, by U.S. Marshals in Boston.

Qiu has been charged with Class D and Class E sex trafficking, as well as one count of forced labor.

Officials said Qiu is now being held at the Androscoggin County Jail. He appeared in court Wednesday and his bail was reduced to $75,000 cash.

The Lewiston Police Department said it was assisted in its investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Androscoggin District Attorney's Office.

Police said the trafficking victims are receiving help from Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services.

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