Two Bayport Workers Arrested on Charges of Prostitution, Unauthorized Practice of a Profession

Reports of illicit activity taking place at Bayport massage parlor led to the arrest of two employees on charges of prostitution and unauthorized practice of a profession on April 15, according to police.

At their March and April meetings, Bayport Civic Association (BCA) members discussed the late night hours and male customer majority they witnessed at Relaxation Station, located at 749 Montauk Highway, in the same building as Annie’s Pantry.

BCA President Bob Draffin and Vice President Joe Libertelli met with Legislator and Presiding Officer Bill Lindsay, who then relayed the association’s concerns to detectives at the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fifth Precinct.

Shortly after notifying law enforcement, two arrests were made at Relaxation Station on April 15: Hong Xiu Li from Flushing, Queens was arrested on a charge of prostitution and unauthorized practice of profession, and Yang Heping, also from Flushing, was arrested on a charge of unauthorized practice of profession.

According to the police, Li offered to engage in sexual conduct for a fee, and was practicing massage therapy without a license to do so. 

Heping was only charged with unauthorized practice of profession.

“Some members of our group noticed some activity going on there that didn’t seem to be in concert with what the business purports to be,” Draffin said.

One person’s concern developing into community action is what the civic is all about, Draffin said.

“It comes from a concerned citizen, who brings it up to their civic group, who contacts elected officials so they can take care of it,” he said.

The BCA president emphasized the importance of addressing issues such as the alleged illicit activities going on at the local business.

“Something as disreputable as that type of business being conducted right on ‘main street’ has to be addressed,” he said. 

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