A federal grand jury has indicted two Chinese nationals accused of running a network of illicit massage parlors that allegedly engaged in prostitution and money laundering across multiple locations in southern Illinois and Indiana.
Jianhong (GEE-IN HONG) (WHO) Hu Allbright, 57, of Shoals, Indiana, and Yalong Cao (COW), 25, of Schaumburg, Illinois, are each charged with:
One count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States
One count of money laundering conspiracy
Allbright faces an additional charge of transporting an individual to engage in prostitution.
The indictment alleges that between March 2022 and June 2024, the pair operated five massage businesses, including:
Oriental Home Spa & Massage in Centralia
Sunflower Spa in Mt. Vernon
Oasis Massage Spa in Vandalia
Rose Spa in Harrisburg
Oriental Massage Parlor in Corydon, Indiana
U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft condemned the nature of the alleged operations, stating, “Massage parlors engaged in prostitution are not the romanticized fantasy from the movie Pretty Woman—they are criminal enterprises that create and exploit financial dependency to trap immigrants and others, coercing them into degrading subjugation.”
Allbright is accused of overseeing daily operations, coordinating transportation, and supplying materials for the women involved. Cao is alleged to have recruited women and collected proceeds from the illicit activities. Prosecutors say they also used online platforms to advertise commercial sex acts.
If convicted, the charges carry serious penalties:
Money laundering conspiracy: Up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000
Transporting an individual to engage in prostitution: Up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine
Conspiracy to commit an offense against the U.S.: Up to 5 years in prison
The investigation is being led by the Illinois State Police Trafficking Enforcement Bureau, Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Illinois Department of Revenue. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karelia Rajagopal is prosecuting the case.
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