SAYREVILLE – A Jackson woman is facing charges after authorities said she operated a prostitution ring through unlicensed spas in several New Jersey counties.
Kelly Jahnke-Gonzalez, 44, was arrested May 12 after a months-long investigation that began in October, Sayreville Police Chief Daniel Plumacker said in a social media post Tuesday.
Police said investigators looked into Jahnke-Gonzalez and several businesses connected to her, including spas that were allegedly operating without proper licensing. Authorities said the businesses were being used for prostitution.
The investigation involved surveillance, undercover work and a review of financial records, police said. On May 12, authorities executed search warrants at several businesses, corporate offices and Jahnke-Gonzalez’s home.
Police said they seized more than $100,000 in hidden cash, froze multiple bank accounts and recovered additional evidence tied to the case.
The Joha’s Spa locations in Brick, Jackson, Millstone Township and Sayreville were among the businesses involved.
Jahnke-Gonzalez was charged with four counts of promoting prostitution, maintaining a nuisance, money laundering and misconduct by a corporate official, police said. She was released pending future court proceedings.
Authorities said the investigation remains active and additional charges or arrests are possible.
Plumacker said the department is committed to targeting crimes that exploit vulnerable people and affect residents’ quality of life.
“Those who seek to profit from prostitution and related criminal activity should understand that we will continue to aggressively investigate these offenses and pursue them through to their full conclusion,” he said.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Brick Township Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department, New Jersey Treasury Criminal Investigative Unit, Homeland Security Investigations and the Jackson Township SORT Team assisted in the investigation, police said.
