Zhao
Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 9:25 a.m. May 20 with new information regarding the spa’s current licensing status.
A Greenwood masseuse has been sentenced to two days in jail after she pleaded guilty to touching an undercover officer inappropriately and offering to do more for money.
Yaqin Zhao, 60, of Carmel, pleaded guilty to a single charge of prostitution, a Class A misdemeanor, on May 11 in Johnson County Superior Court 3. As part of her plea agreement, Zhao was sentenced to two days in jail with a one day credit, meaning she served one day overall. She also was ordered to pay $185 to the court, according to court records.
Zhao had been arrested and charged in October with prostitution following an undercover investigation by Greenwood police. On Oct. 22, police received reports of possible prostitution at Foot Fitness, a spa located at 1140 North State Road 135, Suite F, and an officer went undercover to verify the validity of the reports, according to a Greenwood Police Department report.
As part of the investigation, the officer paid $90 for a massage. He undressed, covered himself with a towel and laid on the table. Zhao entered the room, immediately removed his towel, touched him inappropriately and massaged his back. She then asked him to flip over, and touched him inappropriately again, according to the report.
Zhao left the room and returned with a phone. She used a translation app to ask the man if he wanted more. The officer asked how much, and she asked if he would give her a good tip. The officer said he would, but that it would have to wait until the next day, the report said.
The officer returned two days later and was greeted by Zhao, who asked him which massage he wanted. The officer again paid $90 for a massage. Zhao took him to a room in the back of the shop, where she watched him undress and touched him inappropriately. Zhao immediately removed the towel and began to massage the officer, according to the report.
Zhao asked the officer to turn over and touched him inappropriately. She asked him if he wanted more, to which the officer asked if he could have it for $65. Zhao whispered “yes,” and began, the report said.
The officer stopped Zhao immediately and called in another officer, who arrested her, according to the report.
Greenwood police had also cited Foot Fitness in October for operating a massage establishment without a permit. A prior owner of the business had obtained a permit from the city in 2015, but officers discovered the business had been been sold since then, and the new owner had not obtained a permit. They were told they could not reopen without a permit, police said.
Foot Fitness did end up applying for a permit after the citation in October, however, it was denied by the city. The spa has not opened up since then, said Matt Fillenwarth, assistant chief of Greenwood police.
The spa’s website does show a copyright date of 2022, and an internet search showed the spa’s hours on Google were updated approximately two weeks ago.
Zhao’s current employment status is unknown. Foot Fitness did not return a request for comment before deadline.
