Four charged in bust of prostitution ring at Tacoma massage parlors

Two massage parlors in Tacoma were offering more than just massages, police said.

An undercover operation was started in March after detectives suspected women working at a parlor in the 1100 block of South M Street were offering sex acts for money. Another parlor in the 4100 block of South M Street also was watched.

Undercover detectives visited the parlor 13 times and were solicited each time, according to court records. Detectives declined the offers by saying they didn’t have enough cash on them.

One detective even discussed buying one of the owner’s two parlors for $30,000, records show. The owner, Hsin Hung, allegedly gave the detective advice on how to advertise prostitution online without being caught.

Police served search warrants at both parlors earlier this month and arrested four women, including Hung. All women denied being involved with prostitution.

Pierce County prosecutors have charged the women with second-degree promoting prostitution. Hung also is charged with leading organized crime.

Hung pleaded not guilty Monday and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail. The other women are jailed in lieu of $250,000 bail each.

This story was originally published November 17, 2015 at 1:57 PM with the headline "Four charged in bust of prostitution ring at Tacoma massage parlors."