Women Arrested for Prostitution at Bridgeville Massage Parlor Going to Trial

Three women accused of running a prostitution ring out of a Bridgeville massage parlor are going to trial on misdemeanor prostitution charges.

Felony charges of prostitution and conspiracy were withdrawn by Allegheny County police during the preliminary hearing with District Judge Maureen McGraw-Desmet on Monday.

However, the three women, Ok Ja Ko, 52, Chong Hee Kil, 57, and Heemae Jong, 58, waived their misdemeanor prostitution charges and are now awaiting trial.

The women arrived at district court on Monday afternoon wearing surgical masks, rushing past cameras and television reporters to get into the courtroom. The three women are free on $5,000 cash bond each and awaiting their formal arraignment on May 3.

Bridgeville police Chief Chad King, whose department is no longer leading the case, said investigators are still working to learn if human trafficking is involved with the prostitution ring. 

“When it comes to human trafficking, if they don’t come right out and tell us, there really isn’t anything we can do about it,” King said. “All we can do is ask the right questions.”

Police and the FBI raided the 88 Spa along Route 50 in Bridgeville’s main business district on Feb. 6 and arrested the three women. Police had been investigating the massage parlor not long after it opened in October 2011.

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