The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) last week announced prostitution charges against two female patrons of an allegedly unlicensed massage parlor following a law enforcement search that, in addition to the sheriff’s office, included the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), FBI, and state regulatory agencies.
According to the sheriff’s office, the warrant was executed at a Mount Juliet business on Wednesday after a “weeks-long investigation,” with law enforcement initially alleging only “no valid massage licenses had been issued for the establishment.”
Hours later, WCSO announced the arrests of Zhong Ping, 45, and Xian Feng Shao, 49, who were both charged with impersonating a licensed professional. Ping was additionally accused of prostitution, while Shao was charged with promoting prostitution. The sheriff’s office additionally reported that it was still investigating.
Booking information for both accused appears to indicate New York ties, with Ping listed as from Flushing and Shao from Brooklyn. Neither Ping nor Shao is listed as subject to an immigration detainer.
Minutes away in Davidson County, publicly available records from the Criminal Clerk additionally appear to show Shao was charged in April with promoting prostitution and impersonating a professional in that county, where she was granted a $5,000 bond. Her next court date in Davidson County is listed as February 3, 2026.
The Massage Licensure Act of 1995 requires all businesses offering massages for compensation to be licensed by the Tennessee Massage Licensure Board, which requires individuals to complete training and a competency exam. It also governs hygiene practices, privacy regulations, and advertising rules for the industry in the state.
Operating an unlicensed massage parlor is a Class B misdemeanor in Tennessee, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $500 fine. Prostitution is additionally a Class B misdemeanor, while promoting prostitution is generally a felony offense that can lead to years in prison.
Though the potential immigration history of Ping and Shao is unknown, an investigation revealed during the Biden administration that a clandestine social media group reportedly instructed Chinese nationals how to illegally enter the United States. It was also allegedly aiding a human trafficking organization that prostituted immigrants in California.
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Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected]. Â
