07/29/2026
**NEWS RELEASE: Shelton Police Conduct Joint Trafficking/Prostitution Enforcement Operation**
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Shelton Police Detective Bureau
By: Det. Sergeant C. Bitsco
Date: 07/29/2026
The Shelton Police Department Detective Bureau, in partnership with the Connecticut State Police Statewide Organized Crime Task Force, recently concluded a joint undercover investigation targeting prostitution and commercial sexual exploitation at massage businesses operating within the City of Shelton.
Following numerous undercover operations conducted over several weeks by undercover Detectives, search warrants were executed at QQ Spa, 406 Howe Avenue, and Yama Massage, 445 River Road. The investigation resulted in the arrests of Yue Mei Gao, 49, Mei Li Huang, 55, Hui-Zhi Yang, 57, and Zhimin Zhu, 50, all of New York, as well as the seizure of evidence and U.S. currency believed to be associated with the illegal operation of the businesses.
Each was charged with C.G.S. § 53a-88, Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree; C.G.S. § 53a-89, Permitting Prostitution; and C.G.S. § 53a-82, Prostitution. All four were processed, released on non-surety bonds, and issued court dates at Connecticut Superior Court, G.A. #5 in Derby.
The Shelton Police Department is committed to combating human trafficking, labor trafficking, and commercial sexual exploitation. Criminal activity of this nature negatively impacts our community and quality of life, and we will continue working together to identify, investigate, and prosecute those responsible.
**The charges in this news release are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.**
