HIGHLIGHTS FROM NEWS CONFERENCE

2:01 p.m.: Currey estimated the investigation "put a heck of a dent in human trafficking and sex trade" in Indian River County.

2 p.m.: "I can't imagine them looking in a mirror and saying this is what they want to do with their life," Currey said, adding he would rather have the women who worked in the spas as victims than defendants.

1:58 p.m.: The people who went to the spas for sex included business owners, members of the religious community, fathers, uncles and others, Currey said.

1:52 p.m.: "They're told from the get-go not to cooperate, Currey said of the victims, adding that translators have been brought in from around the country to make them comfortable, and to feel safe and cooperate."

1:49 p.m.: "We owe it to our community to see this through. It takes a lot of time and taxpayer money. We don't want these people to relocate," Currey said.

The latest:What happened in Vero Beach and Sebastian?

More:Human trafficking on the Treasure Coast: What we know so far

1:45 p.m.: Officials estimated the spas in Vero Beach and Sebastian made $1 million to $1.5 million a year.

1:44 p.m.: "We don't think they (the victims) were getting much of what they were earning and had to pay rent and for food," Currey said. The customers were paying anywhere between $60 and $100 a visit, plus tips. Currey added he doubted whether the victims saw much of that money.

1:40 p.m.: Currey's message to the men who frequented the spas: "I hope their family sees their names. Turn yourself in or someone will be knocking on your door. Shame on the Johns."

1:37 p.m.: There is no connection to the human trafficking cases that were announced this week in Martin County and Jupiter, Currey said.

1:36 p.m.: There are two confirmed victims in Indian River County and Vero Beach. "I'm sure we'll uncover more," Currey said.

1:35 p.m.: Currey estimated about 90 percent of the business were full sex acts. "There was very little massaging going on."

1:31 p.m.: "Victims are recruited. There's a lot of advertising going on. They answer ads they think are legitimate," Currey said.

1:30 p.m.: Two women associated with the spas remain at large, one on the west coast and one out of the country.

1:23 p.m.: "We've learned more about what these victims go through ... they have nowhere to go," Currey said. "They're trying to provide a better life for themselves and their families. There's shame and intimidation; these people are truly stuck. Many women come from China on temporary visas, paying brokers with bad intentions."

1:20 p.m.: AA Massage in Sebastian was owned by the same people who owned East Spa in Vero Beach. A Health Department complaint launched an investigation in September. An undercover officer was sent in and offered sex acts. Currency and documents were found during a raid Tuesday.

1:15 p.m.: When the owner of East Sea Spa was arrested, she had $22,000 cash in her purse. That one store could generate $1 million, Loar said. The men paying for prostitution were supporting human trafficking.

1:14 p.m.: Fifty-four subjects and 61 solicitation charges were identified to be charged in Indian River County in connection with East Sea Spa. The manager was arrested and charged. Staff was living in the spa and not allowed to leave, according to Sheriff Deryl Loar. Many only spoke Chinese.

1:13 p.m.: Staff members at the spa were not allowed to leave the business, Loar said. "We have to protect these victims," Loar said.

1:12 p.m.: A total of 173 arrest warrants have been issued in Indian River County and 45 have been arrested, according to law enforcement officials. More warrants are being prepared. He added many of the "Johns" are turning themselves in to law enforcement.

1:06 p.m.: At the 14th Avenue spa, Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey said an undercover detective was offered sex acts. A judge approved installation of cameras. A total of 111 people and 138 solicitation charges came from that location.

1:05 p.m.: Spas associated with the Indian River County investigation included:

East Spa, 2345 14th Ave., Suite 10, Vero Beach

East Sea Spa, 13401 U.S. 1, Sebastian

AA Massage, 1547 U.S. 1, Sebastian

There also was the East Spa in Winter Park and the Rainbow Spa in Orlando.

1:04 p.m. Anonymous emails and phone calls about a spa prompted an investigation of East Spa on 14th Avenue in Vero Beach and spread to Sebastian and Central Florida.

EARLIER STORY

Law-enforcement agencies across the Treasure Coast began making arrests this week after an international human trafficking operation was tied to prostitution in Treasure Coast and Jupiter massage parlors.

Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said Tuesday the human trafficking ring has connections to China and New York.

A news conference is scheduled at 1 p.m. today at the Vero Beach Police Department in connection to the case. TCPalm will cover the event live.

Here's what we know:

Hundreds of arrests are expected in the coming days, including "major players" and prominent community members.

At least eight spas have been closed.

The human trafficking ring has connections to China and New York, according to Snyder.

Officials are in the process of seizing more than $2 million in assets

Targeted spas

Several of the spas involved in a human trafficking sting on the Treasure Coast were established in the past three years. Another, in Jupiter, has been in business seven years.

Here are the businesses we know have been shut down so far:

Cove Day Spa, 6136 S.E. U.S.1, Stuart

Therapy Spa, 2836 S.E. U.S. 1, Stuart

Bridge Day Spa, 11774 S.E. U.S. 1, Hobe Sound

Sequoia Apple Day Spa, 10447 S.E. U.S. 1, Hobe Sound

AA Massage, 1547 U.S. 1, Sebastian

East Spa, 2345 14th Ave., Suite 10, Vero Beach

Orchids of Asia Day Spa, 103 U.S. 1, Jupiter

Managers charged

Four women associated with the spas have been arrested to date:

Ruimei Li, 48, of Jupiter, was held on $828,000 bail. She was charged with racketeering; nine counts of money laundering-related charges; deriving support from proceeds of prostitution; operating a house of prostitution; permitting prostitution; and engaging in prostitution.

Lixia Zhu, 48, of Stuart, was held on $428,000 bail. She was charged with racketeering; three counts of money laundering-related charges; deriving support from proceeds of prostitution; operating a house of prostitution; permitting prostitution; and engaging in prostitution.

Hua Zhang, 58, of Winter Garden, was held on $528,000 bail. She was charged with deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution, keeping and frequenting a house of prostitution and 26 counts of procuring for prostitution.

Lei Wang, 39, of Hobe Sound.

More charges coming

In Indian River County, nearly 200 people will be charged with soliciting prostitution and several will be charged with racketeering and other prostitution-related crimes, according to the Vero Beach Police Department.

At least seven "major players" have been identified in Indian River County.

At least 100 men are expected to be charged with paying for sexual acts at the spas, Snyder said.

Details from investigation

An investigation began in October after Martin County sheriff’s detectives reported “they were working several cases of prostitution and possible human trafficking at Asian massage parlors in their county,” records said.

Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, one of several businesses targeted, had online reviews identifying it in slang terms as a provider of sexual services.

Postings from February 2015 to March 2018 on a forum-based website detailed visits involving Asian women supplying sex acts, massages and body rubs for pay.

Investigators found evidence of bodily fluids and got video of sex acts inside the Palm Beach County business.

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