Overview

• Santa Rosa police led a 10‑month investigation that began with October 2024 inspections of suspected illicit massage shops in Sonoma County.
• Search warrants targeted Palm Tree Spa and Daily Care Spa earlier in the probe and, on Tuesday, Sunset Spa, Redwood Wellness and Santa Rosa Health Center, where officers seized electronic devices, condoms, lingerie and lubricants.
• Three women were rescued at Palm Tree Spa and offered services, and two additional women sought help during Tuesday’s searches, according to police.
• Hae Suk Howard, 69, Allan Nutall, 68, and Liqun Yao, 52, were booked into Sonoma County Jail on charges including pandering, conspiracy, keeping a house of prostitution and wage theft; detectives reported cash and business records linking them to the shops.
• The FBI provided translators, a forensic accountant and agents, city code enforcement joined the effort, and officials said the case remains open as evidence is reviewed for further illegal operations; local group Verity is assisting survivors.