SRPD Detectives Conduct Large-Scale Operation Related to Illicit Massage Businesses, Leading to Arrest of Three Suspects

In October 2024, detectives with the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Team (DVSA) partnered with City of Santa Rosa Code Enforcement to conduct inspections at several massage businesses, some of which were suspected of human trafficking through commercial sex services. During this operation, three women described exploitative business practices and requested assistance leaving Palm Tree Spa, 1242 College Avenue. The victims were provided resources through Verity, an organization striving to eliminate human trafficking through prevention and survivor support. SRPD continued to investigate the business, owner, and operators of Palm Tree Spa and other massage businesses for suspected criminal activity while Code Enforcement continued conducting compliance checks at locations throughout the city. At the time, no arrests or criminal charges were requested due to the ongoing investigation. During the initial investigation into Palm Tree Spa, a second illicit massage business, Daily Care Spa located at 699 Petaluma Boulevard in Petaluma, was identified.

On 10/9/24 and 10/10/24, a search warrant was executed at Palm Tree Spa and Daily Care Spa by members of the Santa Rosa Police Department, with the assistance of Petaluma PD and the FBI.  Additional evidence was collected from the businesses, including condoms, DVR surveillance, cellular phones, and business records.

Over the course of the investigation, DVSA detectives identified three suspects associated with at least five illicit massage businesses in Sonoma County, 4 of which are in the City of Santa Rosa. These locations include Palm Tree Spa, Sunset Spa, Redwood Wellness, and Santa Rosa Health Center, all in Santa Rosa, and Daily Care Spa in Petaluma. The three suspects were believed to be involved in a variety of crimes, including pimping, pandering, keeping a house of prostitution, wage theft and other financial crimes, and conspiracy. DVSA detectives authored search warrants for each of the suspects, their homes, and vehicles, all of which were approved by a Sonoma County Superior Court judge. Search warrants were also obtained for the three businesses not previously searched in October.

On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, SRPD DVSA detectives led a large-scale operation to arrest the suspects, serve search warrants on their respective residences and vehicles, and serve search warrants at 3 illicit massage businesses in Santa Rosa with the intent of locating additional evidence of the above-mentioned crimes and provide resources to victims of human trafficking.

Members of the SRPD Narcotics Investigations Team (Narcs), Special Enforcement Team (SET), and Field Evidence Technicians (FET) assisted in the multi-location operation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) provided translators, a forensic accountant, and agents to assist in the arrest and search efforts. The Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC) provided assistance in digital evidence processing. City of Santa Rosa Code Enforcement Division officers were present to address compliance issues at each of the businesses, and advocates from Verity were available to provide resources to human trafficking victims.

At approximately 6:10 a.m., Hae Suk Howard, a 69-year-old female resident of Santa Rosa, was arrested without incident following a traffic enforcement stop. Howard was the manager of Palm Tree Spa and Daily Care Spa, and the previous manager of AAA Spa, another location in Santa Rosa that had since been shut down. At approximately 7:20 a.m., a search warrant was executed at Howard’s residence located in the 300 block of Countryside Drive, Santa Rosa. In the residence, detectives located financial documents, unused lingerie, and documents linking Howard to several massage businesses. Within her vehicle, detectives located more than $2,000, packaged together with a recent employee/customer log.

At approximately 7:25 a.m., Allan Nutall, a 68-year-old male resident of San Francisco, was arrested without incident at his residence by SRPD detectives. Nutall is the business licensee for all of the massage businesses related to this investigation, and is further involved with over twenty additional massage businesses in the Bay Area. The detectives then executed a search warrant at Nutall’s apartment located at 8200 Oceanview Terrace, San Francisco. Detectives located financial documents, electronic devices, and documents linking him to several massage businesses in the residence. Cash and documents linking Nutall to other massage businesses were located in his vehicle.

At approximately 9:40 a.m., Liqun Yao, a 52-year-old resident of Santa Rosa, was arrested in her home located in the 2600 block of Amora Circle, Santa Rosa. Yao refused to voluntarily submit to arrest or open her door, which had to be forced open by SRPD detectives. Yao was then taken into custody by detectives. A search of Yao’s residence yielded over $3,000 in banded cash, financial documents, unused lingerie, digital evidence, lubricants and receipts for lubricant purchases, and indicia connecting her to Santa Rosa Health Center.

During the search warrant, detectives seized business documents that demonstrated the business relationships between Nuttall, Howard, and Yao.

At approximately 1:35 p.m., a search warrant was served at Redwood Wellness, 2323 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa. Some of the evidence seized at this location included condoms concealed in pill bottles, a small amount of cash, and electronic devices. No patrons were at the business at the time of the search warrant.  One woman within the business requested assistance and was provided with resources by Verity.

At the same time detectives were serving a search warrant at Redwood Wellness, a second team of detectives served a search warrant at Santa Rosa Health Center, 1203 College Avenue, Santa Rosa. Some of the evidence located included hidden cellphones, condoms hidden in the toilet bowl tank, lingerie, and lubricants. One male patron was at the business at the time of the search warrant. He was interviewed by detectives and released from the scene. One woman within the business requested assistance and was provided with resources by Verity.

At approximately 4:35 p.m., a search warrant was served at Sunset Spa, 858 Third Street, Santa Rosa. Some evidence seized at this location included lingerie, condoms in a pill bottle, and role-play costumes. Two women identified at the business did not request any services.

Hae Suk Howard was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility for the following offenses:
PC 266h- Pimping
PC 266i- Pandering
PC 182- Conspiracy
PC 315- Keeping a House of Ill Fame
PC 487m- Wage Theft

Allan Nutall was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility for the following offenses:

PC 266i- Pandering
PC 182- Conspiracy
PC 315- Keeping a House of Ill Fame
PC 487m- Wage Theft

Liqun Yao was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility for the following offenses:

PC 266i- Pandering
PC 182- Conspiracy
PC 315- Keeping a House of Ill Fame
PC 487m- Wage Theft

In conjunction with the search warrant service, City of Santa Rosa Code Enforcement Officers conducted inspections of the three massage businesses located at 1203 College Avenue, 2323 4th Street and 858 Third Street. These inspections identified numerous violations of the recently enacted Ordinance ORD-2025-004, specifically Chapter 20-49: Massage Regulation and Massage Establishment Registration.

Violations included, but were not limited to, multiple sections of Chapter 20-49, including serious breaches of Operational Requirements and Gross Violations of conduct and facility standards. Additional issues included Building Code violations related to unauthorized habitation within a commercial structure and unpermitted alterations. The business location 858 Third Street was condemned due to significant Building and Fire Code violations, deeming it an unsafe structure.

Code Enforcement will review the findings and proceed with issuing Cease-and-Desist notices, requiring closure of the businesses in accordance with the authority granted by the new ordinance.
 
The new ordinance, which took effect on April 18, 2025, provides a 180-day grace period for all businesses offering massage services to register and obtain a Massage Establishment Certification. The final compliance deadline is October 18, 2025.  While the businesses are not yet in violation of the registration and certification requirement due to the grace period, the ordinance does not extend any grace for Gross Violations occurring at any massage business location.  

“The Santa Rosa Police Department has zero tolerance for massage businesses engaged in commercial sex operations,” said Chief John Cregan. “These establishments not only violate the law but also exploit vulnerable individuals, often victims of human trafficking. I’m proud of the strong partnership between SRPD and the City of Santa Rosa Code Enforcement Division, which has been instrumental in identifying and stopping these illicit operations. Together, we are ensuring that businesses in our city operate legitimately, ethically, and in full compliance with the law.”


Eliminating commercial sex operations in illicit massage businesses is a critical priority for the Santa Rosa Police Department. SRPD has a zero-tolerance policy toward human trafficking and illegal sexual exploitation. These operations not only undermine the integrity of legitimate businesses but also pose serious risks to public safety and community well-being. In May 2025, the Santa Rosa City Council enacted a revised Massage Establishment Ordinance designed to eliminate unlicensed and non-compliant massage businesses. This ordinance aligns with California state laws and mandates background checks, defined service standards, and operational transparency to ensure that only reputable establishments operate within city limits.

Beyond enforcement, SRPD is deeply committed to supporting victims of human trafficking who are often found in these illicit operations. Partnering with Verity, Sonoma County’s leading sexual assault and human trafficking support center, SRPD ensures that survivors receive trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and long-term healing resources. Verity offers a 24/7 crisis line, counseling, emergency shelter referrals, and advocacy services, empowering survivors to reclaim their lives in safety and dignity.  The City’s coordinated approach, combining strict regulation, proactive policing, and compassionate victim support, reflects the City of Santa Rosa’s stance against exploitation and its dedication to fostering a safe, just, and inclusive community.

This is an ongoing investigation. Detectives are continuing to analyze evidence, identify additional illicit massage businesses and suspects, and identify additional possible victims of human trafficking. Additional details may be provided at the conclusion of the investigation. Community members are encouraged to direct complaints about massage business operations to the City of Santa Rosa Code Enforcement Division at 707-543-3198. Complaints may also be filed online by visiting the city’s website and navigating to the Code Enforcement “Submit a Complaint” page.

Santa Rosa Police Department case number 24-11946.

Media inquiries can be directed to Sgt. Rick Boehm, SRPD DVSA, at 707-543-3598 or rboehm@srcity.org.

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