Authorities Crack Down on Illicit Massage Parlors in Anchorage and Mat-Su, Charge Owners with Sex Trafficking

Multi-agency investigation leads to arrests and raids at seven businesses accused of operating as prostitution fronts that exploit vulnerable adults.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 1:52am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a massage table with a crumpled towel, lit by a harsh camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the hidden exploitation within illicit massage parlors.A police crackdown on illicit massage parlors in Anchorage and Mat-Su exposes the gritty reality of sex trafficking hidden behind the veneer of legitimate businesses.Anchorage Today

A yearlong investigation into illicit massage parlors in Alaska culminated this week in arrests and raids at seven businesses in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley that authorities say operate as thinly veiled fronts for commercial sex work and harbor sex trafficking victims. Seven people who owned, managed or helped run the parlors have been charged with felony sex trafficking offenses, while 11 suspected victims were identified during the operation.

Why it matters

Illicit massage parlors have become a growing concern for law enforcement in Alaska, with authorities estimating around 30 such businesses operating in Anchorage alone. These enterprises are often advertised online as legitimate massage therapy services but are actually fronts for prostitution and sex trafficking, exploiting vulnerable individuals, many from other countries or states. The crackdown aims to disrupt these operations and support victims, though some sex worker advocates argue the arrests unfairly target consenting sex workers.

The details

According to court documents and law enforcement officials, the seven businesses raided this week include Jasmine Spa, Zen Massage and Stream Health Spa in Wasilla, as well as Phoenix Health Spa, Owl Health Spa, Renew Day Spa and Red House Massage in Anchorage. Authorities say the enterprises operate as prostitution fronts that harbor sex trafficking victims who perform sex acts on paying customers. The investigation was led by the Alaska State Troopers, Anchorage Police Department and FBI, with support from other agencies.

  • The investigation was convened by the Alaska attorney general's office last year.
  • The raids and arrests took place this week.

The players

Lee Van Ness

A 72-year-old Anchorage resident charged in the case.

Tuan Huynh

A 34-year-old Anchorage resident charged in the case.

Terry Volkman

A 53-year-old Anchorage resident charged in the case.

Guoguo Zhang

A 54-year-old Wasilla resident charged in the case.

Xiong Xiaotian

A 40-year-old New York resident charged in the case.

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What they’re saying

“These operations were not legitimate. They were exploiting individual and vulnerable adults.”

— Col. Maurice Hughes, Director of Alaska State Troopers

“The fact that they're calling it sex trafficking, I mean, it's just an outright lie. They're enforcing the wrong laws on the wrong set of people.”

— Maxine Doogan, Member of Community United for Safety and Protection

What’s next

Authorities say more charges and arrests could come as the investigation continues. Police also plan to work with municipal officials to enact stricter policies or codes to help shut down illicit massage parlors in the future.

The takeaway

This crackdown highlights the growing problem of illicit massage parlors operating as fronts for prostitution and sex trafficking in Alaska, exploiting vulnerable individuals. While authorities aim to disrupt these enterprises and support victims, some advocates argue the arrests unfairly target consenting sex workers, underscoring the complex and contentious nature of these investigations.