Woman accused of human trafficking and running illicit massage parlor in Farmington

After a year-long investigation, a woman accused of operating an illicit massage parlor and trafficking women for sex work was arrested by Farmington police.

Fu Shuping, 53, of California, is charged with racketeering, human trafficking and kidnapping.

FBI agents executed a search warrant in April 2024 and arrested Shuping at the massage parlor in Farmington, according to a criminal complaint filed June 30 in San Juan County Magistrate Court.

Prosecutors dismissed the case against Shuping in 2024 and told police further investigation was needed to determine the appropriate charges for the case, according to court documents.

Detectives looked into Shuping’s business after a woman went to Farmington police to report she had been abducted for at least 10 days in April 2024.

The woman told police she had arrived in Farmington from Utah after responding to an ad looking for a massage therapist job that “paid good money.”

Upon arrival, Shuping told the woman she would perform sex acts for money. The woman reported that Shuping had shown her a container of condoms and a bottle to dispose of used condoms, court documents said.

Court records state the woman refused before realizing she did not have the money to return home. For 15 days, the woman “provided sexual favors to numerous individuals at the business.” The business, named “Health Spa,” only accepted cash from customers and workers were only given tips left by customers.

The woman told police she was required to live at the massage parlor during her employment, and Shuping would “lock the door against her will so she would not escape,” court documents shows.

By day, the parlor appeared to be a normal business, according to court documents that say the building is registered as a “health spa.” The business license was issued in December 2023 and expired the following year.

But according to police, the building actually functioned as a prostitution ring.

Shuping instructed workers to wear nurse outfits whenever police were in the area, and the business front doors were locked and under constant surveillance, court documents show.

Shuping threatened the woman after she attempted to quit, saying she “knew where she and her children lived.” Shuping told the woman she had to pay $400 to leave the premises, which the woman paid before going to Farmington police.

Shuping’s first court appearance is scheduled for July 21.