Methuen, Massachusetts, September 29, 2025
News Summary
Police in Methuen, Massachusetts have shut down the Beauty Garden Spa following a lengthy investigation into allegations of human trafficking. The manager, Suping Zhu, was arrested on multiple charges related to prostitution and trafficking. Authorities found living quarters for women believed to be victims of trafficking during the raid. This operation marks the beginning of a local campaign aimed at combating human trafficking in the community. Further investigations are ongoing, as local officials vow to address and prevent such operations in the future.
Methuen, Massachusetts
A health spa named Beauty Garden Spa in Methuen, Massachusetts, was shut down by police following allegations of human trafficking. The action came after a multi-year investigation that focused on activity at the spa and living conditions inside the building. Officials executed a search warrant and arrested the manager on multiple criminal counts, and the town has signaled a broader campaign against human trafficking.
Key developments
The police executed a search warrant at the spa on Wallace Street on September 4, 2025. Law enforcement officers entered the property to carry out the court-authorized search and to take custody of those alleged to be responsible for managing the operation.
Suping Zhu, the 38-year-old manager of the spa from Flushing, New York, was arrested on charges of deriving support from prostitution, keeping a house of ill fame, and trafficking a person for sexual servitude. Authorities booked the manager on those charges and indicated additional charges against Zhu or others involved may be forthcoming as the investigation is ongoing.
How the investigation began
The investigation began after complaints from a neighbor, Beth Foote, who had been working with police for about two years. Foote provided observations to officers that prompted longer-term monitoring and ultimately led to the search warrant. Foote observed patterns of activity that raised concerns about wrongdoing and coordinated with police investigators.
Foote observed suspicious activities, including men entering and exiting the spa between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m., often driving luxury cars and company vehicles. In addition, Foote reported seeing women arriving at the spa with suitcases on buses multiple times a month. Those recurring patterns contributed to investigators’ suspicions and informed subsequent steps in the probe.
Findings during the search
During the investigation, police discovered living quarters for two women in the building’s basement. Investigators reported that the basement spaces were used for sleeping and limited personal storage rather than full residential accommodation, and the women were found with restricted movement and access.
Police believe the women were victims of trafficking as they did not speak English and rarely left the basement except for servicing clients. Officers interpreted the constrained movement and language barriers as indicators that the women were being controlled and that the spa operation involved sexual servitude.
After the police action, Beauty Garden Spa was officially closed, having been deemed to lack the necessary residential facilities for lawful occupancy. Municipal officials moved quickly to close the location and to address the building’s fitness for occupancy after the criminal investigation uncovered the basement living quarters and related concerns.
Local response and next steps
Methuen Police Chief Scott McNamara highlighted this operation as the beginning of a campaign to eradicate human trafficking and sexual servitude in the community. The police department described the enforcement at the spa as the opening phase of a sustained effort to identify and disrupt similar operations in the city.
Mayor D.J. Beauregard declared war on human trafficking in Methuen, promising to shut down operations that profit from these activities and hold responsible parties accountable. City officials said they will coordinate code enforcement, licensing checks, and criminal investigations to prevent sites that enable trafficking from operating in town.
Methuen police are continuing to investigate and plan to target clients, known as johns, who support the trafficking business. The department indicated it will pursue enforcement actions against those who solicit or otherwise enable commercial sex that is tied to trafficking.
Additional charges against Zhu or others involved may be forthcoming as the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are continuing interviews, evidence review and legal coordination with prosecutors to determine the full scope of alleged criminal activity and any further charges to file.
Community concern
Foote expressed concern for the wellbeing of the women involved, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the human trafficking issue in the area. Neighbors and community members have been informed of the closure and encouraged to report suspicious activity to law enforcement so police can investigate and intervene.
What this means
The immediate outcome is the closure of the spa, an arrest of the manager, and an ongoing criminal investigation. Officials have said they will continue enforcement efforts that include code and licensing reviews, criminal charges where appropriate, and targeted efforts at both operators and clients who enable trafficking. Community members are asked to remain vigilant and to contact police with information that could support ongoing inquiries.
FAQ
Q: What happened at the spa in Methuen?
A: A health spa named Beauty Garden Spa in Methuen, Massachusetts, was shut down by police following allegations of human trafficking.
Q: When did police act and where?
A: The police executed a search warrant at the spa on Wallace Street on September 4, 2025.
Q: Who was arrested and what are the charges?
A: Suping Zhu, the 38-year-old manager of the spa from Flushing, New York, was arrested on charges of deriving support from prostitution, keeping a house of ill fame, and trafficking a person for sexual servitude.
Q: How did the investigation start?
A: The investigation began after complaints from a neighbor, Beth Foote, who had been working with police for about two years.
Q: What evidence or observations prompted concern?
A: Foote observed suspicious activities, including men entering and exiting the spa between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m., often driving luxury cars and company vehicles. Foote reported seeing women arriving at the spa with suitcases on buses multiple times a month.
Q: Were there people living at the spa?
A: During the investigation, police discovered living quarters for two women in the building’s basement. Police believe the women were victims of trafficking as they did not speak English and rarely left the basement except for servicing clients.
Q: What did the city do after the raid?
A: After the police action, Beauty Garden Spa was officially closed, having been deemed to lack the necessary residential facilities for lawful occupancy.
Q: What are the next steps for law enforcement and city officials?
A: Methuen Police Chief Scott McNamara highlighted this operation as the beginning of a campaign to eradicate human trafficking and sexual servitude in the community. Mayor D.J. Beauregard declared war on human trafficking in Methuen, promising to shut down operations that profit from these activities and hold responsible parties accountable. Methuen police are continuing to investigate and plan to target clients, known as johns, who support the trafficking business. Additional charges against Zhu or others involved may be forthcoming as the investigation is ongoing.
Q: What is being done for the victims?
A: Foote expressed concern for the wellbeing of the women involved, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the human trafficking issue in the area. Authorities are coordinating victim assessment and support as part of the criminal investigation and will seek appropriate services for those identified as victims.
Quick facts table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Wallace Street, Methuen, Massachusetts |
| Date of search warrant | September 4, 2025 |
| Business | Beauty Garden Spa |
| Manager arrested | Suping Zhu, 38, from Flushing, New York |
| Charges reported | Deriving support from prostitution; keeping a house of ill fame; trafficking a person for sexual servitude |
| Victims found | Living quarters for two women discovered in the building’s basement; believed to be victims of trafficking |
| Investigation status | Ongoing; additional charges may be forthcoming; police plan to target clients who support the trafficking business |
| Local response | Methuen Police Chief Scott McNamara described the operation as the start of a campaign against human trafficking; Mayor D.J. Beauregard pledged to shut down operations that profit from trafficking |
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Additional Resources
- CBS News: Methuen Spa Arrest – Human Trafficking
- Wikipedia: Human Trafficking in the United States
- NBC Boston: Methuen Massage Parlor Arrest
- Google Search: Methuen Spa Human Trafficking
- Boston 25 News: Methuen Police Close Down Massage Parlor
- Google Scholar: Human Trafficking Massachusetts
- WHDH: Manager of Methuen Spa Facing Human Trafficking Charges
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Human Trafficking
- Patch: Spa Manager Charged with Human Trafficking
- Google News: Methuen Spa Arrest
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