By SUZANNE DOWNING
April 16, 2026 – Following a year-long investigation, a multi-agency law enforcement task force executed search warrants this week at seven suspected illicit massage parlors across Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, resulting in the arrest of seven individuals on sex trafficking charges.
The coordinated operation involved the Anchorage Police Department, Alaska State Troopers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Anchorage Field Office, working alongside prosecutors and civil attorneys from the Alaska Department of Law. Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing, with the possibility of additional charges.
Investigators began developing the case after receiving leads that certain massage businesses were operating as fronts for organized criminal activity involving the commercial sexual exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
Over several months, law enforcement gathered evidence that led to the execution of warrants at the following locations: Jasmine Spa, Zen Massage, Stream Health Spa of Wasilla, Phoenix Health Spa, Owl Health Spa, Renew Day Spa, and Red House Massage of Anchorage. Two Anchorage residences were also searched.
Those arrested include 72-year-old Anchorage resident Lee Van Ness; 34-year-old Anchorage resident Tuan Huynh; 54-year-old Wasilla resident Guoguo Zhang; 53-year-old Anchorage resident Terry Volkman; 40-year-old New York resident Xiong Xiaotian; 51-year-old New York resident Hong Zhen Li; and 44-year-old Hui Zhang. Charges range from sex trafficking in the second degree to sex trafficking in the third degree.
A review of the names suggests a mix of backgrounds among those charged. Names such as Zhang, Li, and Xiong are commonly of Chinese origin, while Huynh is a Vietnamese surname frequently found among individuals of Vietnamese descent. Authorities have not publicly released details about the citizenship or immigration status of those arrested.
All charges are being prosecuted by the Alaska Department of Law’s Office of Special Prosecutions.
In addition to making arrests, investigators worked to identify potential victims during the operation. Individuals believed to have been exploited were offered assistance, including access to support services through government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
Officials emphasized that protecting victims and holding those responsible for exploitation accountable remains a top priority.
The operation drew support from multiple federal and local partners, including Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Army Criminal Investigation Division, the US Coast Guard, the Wasilla Police Department, and the Anchorage Airport Police Department.
Law enforcement officials say the investigation is ongoing and encourage anyone with information related to human trafficking to contact authorities.
7 thoughts on “Massage this: Seven arrested in Anchorage, Mat-Su sex trafficking linked to massage parlors”
Ha-Ha-Ha … there’s more perpetrator ‘chins’ than a Chyneeze phone book!!!
How many of these are serving your favorite dish at your favorite restaurant?
Welcome to the new world order … supplemental side hustles!
Maybe(?), your favorite Mayor & Assembly can tax it rather than property owners!
Funny how the only surnames you reference are of Asian ancestry. Volkman would be of Bavarian/German ancestry, and Van Ness most likely would suggest Netherlands ancestry.
Your statement is incorrect. Suzanne listed ALL those arrested by name. It is factually true that 5 out of 7 surnames are of Asian origin. If that however is the main point you took away from the story, maybe you should adjust your focus. Here we have a multi-agency effort to put exploiters and traffickers in our communities behind bars and prevent more victimization. I applaud that effort and do not care one wit, what ancestry the evil doers hail from.
“support through government agencies and nonprofit organizations” ???
Did Tampon Tim move his cash cow feedlot to Alaska?
Andy I believe victims of sex trafficking and exploitation should have our compassion and all the assistance they need. Helping actual victims isn’t fraud…..shame on you!
Maybe these nail salons need checked as well. Many of them can not have friends outside of work! 👀😳 check all the restraunts not owned by American Born US Citizens.
This is why I can’t trust to use any of the massage spas around town. Just one more thing that’s added on my list of there is nothing in Alaska because All the massage businesses look sketchy and ugly fronts. When it’s such a shame and disgrace to the massage therapy industry when weekly and monthly massages are good for mental, emotional, physical health.