4 arrested in breakup of prostitution ring at Delaware spas, police say

An investigation that began last year into prostitution at massage businesses in New Castle County, Delaware ended with the arrests of four people, police said.

In a statement, New Castle County Police Department said an investigation that was started by the department’s Drug and Human Trafficking Team in 2025 led to the arrests of four people:

• Joseph Johnson, 74, of Pennsville, New Jersey
• Mingzi Nan, 62
• Meilan Lanno, 63, of Newark, Delaware — who is also known as Meilan Xu
• Juli Cha, 63, of Laurel, Delaware

Through this investigation, officials said, they initially learned of reports that sexual acts were being offered to customers who got massages at Wellness Tui-Na, located at 1304 Old Lancaster Pike in Hockessin, Delaware.

During surveillance of this business, police said, investigators observed Johnson and Nan leave the property together and travel to a pair of other businesses:

• Angel Magic Therapy, 2501 Foulk Road, Wilmington
• Panda Therapy Massage, 1088A South Chapel Street, Newark

Following the pair leaving these businesses, officials said, Nan and Johnson were observed traveling to several banks and casinos.

Also, during this time, police claim, investigators determined Lanno, owner and operator of the Panda Therapy Massage business, was offering sexual acts in exchange for money.

Upon learning this information, police executed search warrants at several locations, officials said.

During a search at Tui-Na Spa, officials said, investigators learned Nan was offering sexual acts in exchange for money and then visiting casinos in the area to spend the proceeds.

Also, at this business, police made contact with, what officials called a “potential human trafficking victim.”

Then, when a search warrant was executed at Angel Magic Therapy, where Cha was the owner-operator, investigators said they encountered additional potential victims of human trafficking who told police that they were never compensated for their work at the spa.

Cha, officials said, was arrested at Panda Spa on Feb. 26, 2026.

Prior to Cha’s arrest, officials said, Nan was arrested on Jan. 21, 2025, and she has been charged with promoting prostitution and related offenses.

And, on the same day of Cha’s arrest, police arrested Johnson and Lanno, as well.

Johnson, police said, was charged with conspiracy, conducting a transaction involving proceeds of criminal activity and related offenses.

While, officials said, Cha was charged with promoting prostitution, wage theft and related offenses.

And, Lanno has been charged with promoting prostitution and related offenses, officials said.

An investigation into this incident remains ongoing, officials said, and the workers at the spas involved in this case have been referred to the New Castle County Police Department’s Victim Services Unit.