Chester Spa Closed Following Prostitution Raid

June 15, 2024 by John Karlovec

Chester Township police with the assistance of Geauga County sheriff’s deputies raided and closed the Ocean Spa and massage parlor Wednesday morning, following complaints of possible illegal sexual acts being performed there.

Complaints about the spa began almost immediately after it opened earlier this year at 12661 Chillicothe Road, less than 100 feet north of the town hall, where Chesterland Safety Town is scheduled to begin Monday.

Chester Township Police Capt. Jeff Sherwood said Friday the complaints concerned potential prostitution occurring at the spa.

The investigation initially was turned over to the Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, which is made up of federal, state and local agencies investigating sex and labor trafficking cases, Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz said. When it appeared the investigation was slow-walking, Chester police and the prosecutor’s office sprang into action.

Flaiz said Chester police conducted a covert surveillance of the business. Thereafter, police interviewed several male customers whose vehicles were observed in the parking lot. The men were questioned if more than massage services were given at the spa. None of the men were detained or arrested.

Armed with a search warrant signed by Chardon Municipal Court Judge Terri Stupica, law enforcement entered the spa at approximately 8:30 a.m. June 12.

“We did execute a search warrant with the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office,” Sherwood said. “There were no arrests made. Two adult women were questioned as part of our investigation.”

The police department is expected to issue a press release Monday, he added.

The women, who did not speak English and are believed to be Chinese nationals, Flaiz said, adding authorities believe the women were working and living at the spa. He explained a representative from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was present with an interpreter to help interview the women.

In addition, a fellow from the Harriet Tubman Movement, which works with victims of sex trafficking, was on scene to provide support, Flaiz said.

Also present was Nicholas Burling, chief assistant of the prosecutor’s office criminal division.

Flaiz said business records and approximately $10,000 cash were seized in the raid.

Sherwood, who characterized the ongoing investigation as “sensitive,” and Flaiz both said the investigation would reveal if the women were victims of sex trafficking or willing employees at the spa.

Flaiz emphasized the investigation is ongoing and there may be charges brought in the future against those involved.

According to Geauga County property records, the Estate of Anthony Notarian owns the approximate 1,100-square foot building.

Chester Township Administrator Mark Purchase said a Ziyong Guo and Yuezhen Dhang, doing business as Ocean Spa, Inc., signed the lease with the estate, according to township records.

On March 26, Guo signed and submitted a general use application with the township for Ocean Spa to operate a business in a commercial district, Purchase said. The application listed the company’s corporate address as 149-45 Northern Blvd., #2 West, Flushing, N.Y. Guo also signed a $150 check for the application fee.

Purchase, who spent his entire 35-career as a police officer in Chester, including 16 years as chief of police, was involved in the 2008 raid that closed the Silver Spa and massage parlor on Mayfield Road. Four female employees, all of Korean descent, were arrested.

Residents in the area had complained about the spa and its customers for several months.

Authorities monitored the Silver Spa looking for evidence to confirm rumors that a person could get more than a massage there. The day before the raid officials questioned seven “repeat customers” as they left the spa. Several of the customers told police the spa offered sex for money along with the massages.

Months earlier, Chester Township Trustees passed legislation demanding massage businesses be licensed.