Massage Parlor Owner Arrested In Boston, Accused Of Sex Trafficking - Patch

[Cailin Loesch]

BOSTON, MA — A man who owned an illicit massage parlor in Maine, and is associated with several more, has been arrested in Boston and is facing charges including sex trafficking and forced labor.


Police in Lewiston, Maine became aware in March that the man — identified as Richard Qiu from Brooklyn — was operating the massage parlor on Sabattus Street.

Investigators then executed two search warrants on the property and identified two suspected human trafficking victims.

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During the search, investigators "found video recording equipment, condoms, and over $12,000 in suspected sex trafficking proceeds," Lewiston police said.

Qiu was indicted in July, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was taken into custody by U.S. Marshalls in Boston on Sept. 6. Bail was set at $100,000.

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He has been charged with sex trafficking (class D), forced labor (class C), sex trafficking (class E), and criminal forfeiture of property.

The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services assisted in providing victim services to the trafficking victims.

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