A Bernardston man is among two individuals indicted on human trafficking and money laundering charges for trafficking women for sex at two Springfield “massage parlors.”
Stephen C. Forsley, 65, of Bernardston and Liu Yang, 61, of Springfield, were indicted Tuesday by a statewide Grand Jury on charges of sex trafficking, money laundering, deriving support from prostitution, conspiracy of sex trafficking and “keeping house of ill fame,” according to a press release from the Attorney General’s office.
The two were originally arrested in January after a months-long joint investigation by state police assigned to the Attorney General’s office, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Springfield Police Department.
Throughout the investigation, evidence was developed that Forsley and Yang allegedly offered sexual activity between “women and buyers” in exchange for money, said the press release. According to the AG’s office, the defendants advertised sexual services online and transported victims.
The two ran the Day Spa and the Health and Relaxation Spa. Both were in Springfield.
Yang allegedly received the majority of the profits from these encounters, which were laundered into the business. The AG’s Office found thousands of dollars in cash at the businesses and at Yang’s residence.
The Attorney General’s Victim Services Division is working with victim service organizations to make sure the victims have the assistance and services they need.
Forsley and Yang will be arraigned in Hampden Superior Court at a later date, according to the press release.