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Brothel Used Ping Pong to Attract High School Johns
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 28, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 28, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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A pingpong hall was a Chinatown brothel's way into the wallets of public high school students. The Post reports that a brothel at 39 Eldridge Street was shut down after parents of Pace High School students realized the brothel owners were targeting their sons.
Benjie Zheng and Ming Liuchang are accused of promoting the Robo-Pong Training Center with business cards that had a "contact number, an image of a topless woman - and a word, 'Good.'" The pingpong hall was a front for the brothel, complete with an hours-of-operation sign that had rulers and pencils on it, and offered "playing cards" for customers which were good for pingpong AND sexual services.
The NYPD ran a sting operation and undercover cops (from the 21 Jump Street division?) were told, "You can pick any of these girls for sex, and it will cost you $35." A police source told the Post, "It was obvious that they were targeting young students, because the prices were so low [$35-60]. Most brothels charge at least $100."
Zheng, Liuchang, and pingpong hall owner Heng Yu Ye were all arrested. One student said, "It doesn't surprise me. There are guys handing out cards with naked girls on them all the time around here." Pace High School has only been open for a few years.
Tagged
Chinatown
crime
Eldridge Street
high school
Jump Street
naked
nypd
police
sex
The NYPD
the post
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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