Four people were arrested Wednesday, April 22, 2026, during a prostitution investigation at two Hempstead massage businesses and were later taken into custody by federal immigration agents, Nassau County police said.
According to detectives, members of the Narcotics Vice Squad conducted an investigation at Lilac Spa on West Peninsula Boulevard and No. 8 Beauty Spa on Fulton Avenue. Authorities determined that illegal massage services and prostitution were taking place at both locations.
Police identified the defendants as Jiang Yuhang, 44, of College Point; Qin Zhao, 42, of Flushing; Hongyan Fang, 43, of College Point; and Yi Lin, 35, of Brooklyn. All four were arrested without incident.
Zhao and Lin are charged with prostitution and unauthorized practice of a profession. Jiang is charged with attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. Fang faces a charge of unauthorized practice of a profession.
All four defendants were issued appearance tickets and released from local custody. However, police said they were immediately taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents following their arrests.
The investigation focused on alleged illegal operations at the two spa locations, which police say were being used as fronts for prostitution activity.
No additional details about the broader investigation or potential ongoing enforcement actions were released.
The defendants are scheduled to appear in court at a later date. The investigation remains ongoing.
Photos: NCPD.
