Three Individuals Arrested in Connection with Aggravated Promotion of Prostitution in Montgomery County

SPRING, TX, September 7 – A significant breakthrough has been achieved in a protracted investigation led by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Organized Crime Unit, resulting in the arrest of three suspects on charges of aggravated promotion of prostitution.

The inquiry, which initiated in July 2022, was a collaborative effort involving the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, and the Houston Police Department. The focus of the investigation was on two massage parlors situated at the 2000 Block of Rayford Road and the 25500 Block of Interstate 45 South in Spring, Texas, where suspicious criminal activities were reported.

On September 7, 2023, following the execution of several search warrants, the authorities identified and arrested the individuals believed to be behind the operation: business owners Shih Sheng Lin, 57, and Tuxiang Zhu, 45, as well as property manager Xiaoyan Yan Shi, 40. The suspects are currently being held on a bond of $1,000,000 each. Lin and Zhu are detained in the Fort Bend County Jail, while Shi is in the custody of the Montgomery County Jail.

During the operation, law enforcement officers discovered foreign national females at the locations, who were reportedly being held for the purpose of engaging in sex crimes, a situation often linked to human trafficking.

In light of these serious charges and the ongoing nature of the investigation, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with relevant information to come forward. Individuals can reach out to the sheriff’s office directly at 936-760-5800, option 3, or contact the Multi-County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-392-STOP [7867], referring to case # 22A202588. This joint effort underscores the commitment of the involved law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime and protect the community from exploitation and harm.