Seven People Charged for Roles in Running Prostitution Ring Throughout New Jersey and New York

TRENTON – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) announced today that seven people have been charged with first-degree racketeering and promoting prostitution for their roles in running a string of brothels in massage parlors throughout New Jersey.

Jessica Yan Xiong, 50, of Oakland Gardens, New York; Zongan Lin, 50, of Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey; and Zitian Zhang, 34, of New Hyde Park, New York, are charged with racketeering (first degree), money laundering (first degree), leader of organized crime (second degree), promoting organized street crime (second degree), and promoting prostitution (third degree). Thowleong Chew, 43, of Flushing, New York; Min Li, 41, of Flushing; and Ricardo Botti, 56, of Oak Ridge, New Jersey, are each charged with racketeering, money laundering, promoting organized street crime, and promoting prostitution. Alfredo Sibaja-Sanchez, 53, of West Milford, New Jersey, is charged with racketeering, money laundering, and promoting prostitution. (See attached chart.)

“Sophisticated and lucrative criminal networks such as this one thrive on exploitation and manipulation, and they cannot be allowed to operate in our communities,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Our investigators and attorneys in the Division of Criminal Justice worked relentlessly to determine the sprawling extent of this operation, and then take it down, making our neighborhoods safer.”

“Prostitution is not a victimless crime,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “The defendants in this case are charged with exploiting women for profit and putting them at risk. This lengthy and complex investigation shows we will not stand by while that happens.”

“Keeping New Jersey safe means confronting complex threats, including organized crime networks that exploit people for profit,” said New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) Director Laurie Doran. “This outcome reflects strong partnership and persistence across agencies, and NJOHSP is proud to support the Division of Criminal Justice and our law enforcement partners.”

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Xiong operated Yan’s Massage and Reiki in Newfoundland, New Jersey, as an illicit massage parlor since October 2023. Several arrests for prostitution related offenses had occurred at that location. Despite those arrests, Xiong’s landlord, Botti, assisted her in keeping Yan’s Massage and Reiki in business even when she was denied a business license and the spa had been shut down for prostitution. Botti also helped with repairs and passing town business inspections, and had his employee, Alfredo Sibaja-Sanchez, help to ensure Yan’s Massage and Reiki was running efficiently. Lin used his massage license to gain licensure for Yan’s Massage and Reiki since June 2024.

Xiong also had been operating locations in Fair Lawn, New Jersey (JW Holistic Spa) and in Hillsborough, New Jersey (Star Massage and Reiki) as illicit spas since at least January 2025. Lin held the business license for Star Massage and Reiki since February 2024, as well as for locations on Broadway in Passaic, New Jersey (Kyoto 14) since September 2024, and on North Blackhorse Pike in Williamstown, New Jersey (Violet Spa) since January 2024. Xiong also ran a location in New Brunswick, New Jersey (Sunny Spa) since August 2025.

Zhang managed Yan’s Massage and Reiki, Star Massage and Reiki, and Sunny Spa with Xiong. Xiong and Zhang brought women and supplies to and from their associated spas to keep them running and controlled the money generated from the locations. Chew and Li assisted Xiong and Zhang as couriers for the women and supplies. Chew and Li have been seen transporting women from New York to the spas and moving women between the spas.

Each of the spas was subject to surveillance, and law enforcement saw men frequenting each location. Each spa was the subject of online reviews making clear the spas were used as illicit massage parlors and sexual acts were performed for money by the female workers. A financial analysis of the bank accounts associated with Xiong showed deposits of over $300,000 cash into various bank accounts since October 2023, although Xiong had not been seen working at any legitimate business. More than $72,000 was determined to be used to pay for the promotion, rent, and maintenance of the illicit spas.

On December 2, 2025, New Jersey law enforcement in coordination with New York law enforcement executed search warrants on all the aforementioned locations; four additional New Jersey locations in Oak Ridge (Botti’s residence), Parsippany (Lin’s residence), Lake Hiawatha (a residence associated with Lin), and East Hanover (Lin’s business); and three locations in New York in Oakland Gardens (Xiong’s residence), Flushing (associated with multiple bank accounts of Xiong), and New Hyde Park (Zhang’s residence). Over $150,000 in U.S. currency was seized from the locations, which, included with bank deposits, equals over $500,000 in illicit proceeds derived from criminal activity. Furthermore, evidence of illicit massage businesses was recovered from the spas.

This case was investigated by Det. Isabella Rodriguez from DCJ, Det. David Reiff from Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, and detectives at the West Milford Police Department.

Attorney General Platkin would also like to thank Jessica Melton, Chief of the Human Trafficking Unit; Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz; Marilyn Filingeri, Deputy Chief of the Human Trafficking Unit at the Queen’s District Attorney’s Office; and Det. John Zerafa from the New York City Police Department.

First-degree racketeering charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, as well as fines up to $500,000. Other first-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine up to $200,000. Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Defense counsel:

Thowleong Chew: Nicholas A. Moschella Jr. Esq., Brick, New Jersey

Riccardo Botti: Robert A. Warmington Esq., Morristown, New Jersey

Min Li: Michael A. Baldassare Esq., Roseland, New Jersey

Zongan Lin: Not Available

Alfredo Sibaja-Sanchez: Dana M. Scarrillo Esq., Bloomfield, New Jersey

Zitian Zhang: William D. Ware Esq., Chester, New Jersey, and Todd D. Greenberg Esq., Queens, New York

Jessica Y. Xiong: Curtis J. Laforge Esq., Saddle Brook, New Jersey

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Defense counsel:

Thowleong Chew: Nicholas A. Moschella Jr. Esq., Brick, New Jersey
Riccardo Botti: Robert A. Warmington Esq., Morristown, New Jersey
Min Li: Michael A. Baldassare Esq., Roseland, New Jersey
Zongan Lin: Not Available
Alfredo Sibaja-Sanchez: Dana M. Scarrillo Esq., Bloomfield, New Jersey
Zitian Zhang: William D. Ware Esq., Chester, New Jersey, and Todd D. Greenberg Esq., Queens, New York
Jessica Y. Xiong: Curtis J. Laforge Esq., Saddle Brook, New Jersey

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