DUBUQUE, IOWA – An Iowa man and woman were arrested for pimping and human trafficking this week.
On May 5, 2017, at approximately 9:00 AM, members of the Dubuque Drug Task Force, Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security, and Dubuque Police Department arrested John R. Hart, 66, and Meirong Li, 53, both of 2180 Saint Celia Street, in Dubuque, as part of the ongoing investigation into the activity at The Flower Garden, 2600 Dodge Street, Unit C7, and at The 485 TuiNa Studio, 485 Locust Street, both in Dubuque. Hart and Li are charged with Pimping and Human Trafficking, both Class D Felonies punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine between $750 and $7,500. Both are being held on a $100,000 cash bond.
Yanyan Zhao, 27, of 485 Locust Street, Dubuque, and Mingyan Li, 54, of Chicago, were arrested on May 2nd and charged with Prostitution as part of this investigation. Prostitution is an Aggravated Misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment up to two years and a fine between $625 and $6,250. Both remain incarcerated in the Dubuque County Jail.
The Dubuque Police & Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office thanked both Homeland Security and Dubuque-based human trafficking advocacy group “Set Free” for their assistance in this major investigation. Numerous other individuals, including patrons of both businesses, have been identified as having some level of involvement in this case and the investigation remains ongoing with additional charges/arrests possible.
