Quincy Massage Parlor Defendant Previously Faced Prostitution-Related Charge in Wisconsin
Shuqin Zhong, currently charged with prostitution and money laundering in Quincy, was charged in a separate Rock County, Wisconsin case in 2024
QUINCY, Ill. — One of the three defendants charged following last week’s law enforcement operation involving three Quincy massage businesses previously faced a prostitution-related criminal charge in Wisconsin, according to court information reviewed by Quincy Current.
Shuqin Zhong, 53, is currently charged in Adams County with prostitution, a Class A misdemeanor, and money laundering involving more than $10,000 but less than $100,000, a Class 2 felony.
The charges stem from a multi-agency investigation that resulted in search warrants being executed Aug. 27 at Good Day Spa, Star Spa and Melody’s Massage in Quincy.
Zhong was the third person arrested in connection with the investigation.
Two other defendants, Qiumei Hu and Sanmei Wang, were also arrested following the operation. The charges against all three defendants remain pending, and each is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Previous Wisconsin Case
Quincy Current subsequently identified a Rock County, Wisconsin criminal case involving a defendant with the same name and date of birth.
Rock County Circuit Court Case No. 2024CF000722, State of Wisconsin v. Shuqin Zhong, was filed in 2024 and involved a charge of keeping a place of prostitution in Janesville, Wisconsin.
Contemporary reporting from Wisconsin identified Zhong as a 52-year-old Illinois woman associated with Asian Spa and Massage on Milton Avenue in Janesville.
According to reporting based upon the criminal complaint, Janesville police investigated allegations that sexual services were being offered at the business.
During court hearings in Rock County, Wisconsin, via an via interpreter, she allegedly admitted to providing “masturbation services” for money and to running the business for the purposes of prostitution.
The GazetteXtra.com reported, “There were multiple entries which indicated that at Asian Spa & Massage, money could be exchanged for “happy endings,” which are defined as a massage with an added sexual favor. The officer (investigating) also reported that he then reviewed “Rub Maps,” which advertises itself as “erotic massage parlor and happy ending.” There were various entries indicating that men were paying for sexual favors at the Asian Spa & Massage.”
Separate Cases, Two Years Apart
The Wisconsin case and the current Quincy prosecution are separate criminal matters occurring approximately two years apart and in different jurisdictions.
The existence of the Wisconsin charge does not establish Zhong’s guilt in the current Adams County case, nor does it establish that the circumstances surrounding the two investigations were connected.
In Quincy, Zhong faces a substantially different set of pending charges that includes money laundering in addition to prostitution.
The Quincy investigation involved multiple agencies, including the Quincy Police Department, West Central Illinois Task Force, Human Trafficking Task Force, Illinois State Police and Homeland Security.
Authorities executed search warrants at the three Broadway-area massage businesses after investigators received information alleging illicit sexual activity was taking place in connection with massage services.
All allegations contained in the current Quincy cases remain allegations unless proven in court.
Quincy Current will continue reviewing court records related to the Quincy investigation as the cases move through the Adams County judicial system.
