Redwoods Wellness Center, suspected of being a house of prostitution. (Photo: TRPD)
Federal, state and local authorities worked together to shut down a house of prostitution, with two local residents now facing charges in the case, police said.
The investigation, led by Toms River Police detective Tom Grosse, centered on Redwoods Wellness Center, 515 Lakehurst Road in Toms River and a private residence on Edgebrook Drive North in Berkeley Township. In an Internet posting on an adult-oriented website, Redwoods apparently opened last summer and advertised an “Asian massage” service.
Redwoods, conducting business as a massage parlor, was suspected of soliciting prostitution, said police spokesman Ralph Stocco.
“Allegations of the prostitution were confirmed by way of the investigation as well as through the subsequent evidence procured as a result of the court authorized search warrants,” Stocco said.
Nina X. Meng and James O’Brien (Photos: TRPD)
Nina X. Meng, 56, of Edgewood Drive, owner and proprietor of Redwoods, was arrested and charged with the promotion of prostitution.
James M. O’Brien, 59, of Berkeley Township, has also been charged with promoting prostitution. Attempts to have O’Brien, who is apparently a disbarred attorney, surrender himself have not come to fruition. The investigation is ongoing, Stocco said.
Anyone who may have information about Redwoods Wellness Center, its employees, or knows the whereabouts of O’Brien, is urged to confidentially contact Grosse at 732-349-0150 extension 1263 or by email at tgrosse@trpolice.org.
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