FBI Cracks Down on Multi-county Prostitution Ring in Upstate New York

Federal authorities have arrested a woman accused of operating a prostitution network that spanned multiple counties across Upstate New York. The FBI says the woman, identified as Qingqin Xie, also known as "Coco," is in the United States “illegally” and was responsible for managing several spas involved in the alleged activity.

The arrest follows an extensive two-year investigation, which officials say uncovered a large-scale prostitution enterprise running from Kingston to Saratoga County. According to investigators, Xie allegedly promoted and managed the operation at multiple spa locations, including the Sun Spa in Waterford, the Moon Spa in Rotterdam, and the Moon Spa in East Greenbush.

The FBI reported that during the course of the investigation, federal agents interviewed patrons exiting several spas in the region. Many of them allegedly admitted to paying between $160 and $240 for sex acts.

Following her arrest on Wednesday, Xie was questioned at a New York State Police barracks. Authorities say she allegedly acknowledged that she “opens spas and sells them to others,” while also admitting to placing sexually explicit online advertisements designed to solicit clients, according to the Times Union.

Court filings indicate that the investigation focused on several businesses suspected of being part of the ring, including:

-Best Health Spa on Watervliet Avenue in Albany

-Sun Spa on Broad Street in Waterford

-Moon Spa on Hamburg Street in Rotterdam

-Everyday Health Center on Central Avenue in Colonie

-An unnamed spa in Kingston

Xie was arraigned on Wednesday and remains in federal custody. A detention hearing is scheduled for later this week.

FBI Cracks Down on Multi-county Prostitution Ring in Upstate New York