A multi-month investigation by the Sanford Police Department has resulted in the arrest of a business owner on prostitution charges.

Mingqiu Du Aleksa, 45, of Windmere Drive in Sanford is the owner of Healthy Feet, a massage parlor at 340 Wilson Road in Sanford. She was charged by narcotics agents with the Sanford Police Department on Tuesday night with a felony count of promoting prostitution by providing an establishment, and misdemeanor counts of soliciting prostitution, aiding and abetting prostitution, and practicing massage therapy without a license.

Mingqiu Du Aleksa, courtesy of Sanford Police Department

Major Vinnie Frazer of the Sanford Police Department said the investigation began in June after the department began receiving complaints. The State Bureau of Investigation was also involved.

“People called us and told us illegal prostitution was going on there,” he said.

Healthy Feet has been open since September of 2020, according to online records. A one-star Yelp review published in April suggested the possibility of prostitution at the business:

“First thing they asked was if I was married. What a great place hahaha I’m sure they have a ‘special’,” a user wrote at the time.

Frazer said the business remains under investigation and further arrests are possible. Although the investigation was conducted by the department’s narcotics division, Frazer said there was no suspected drug activity in the case. The SPD narcotics division also investigates vice issues like prostitution and illegal gambling.

Du Aleksa was placed in the Lee County Jail under $20,000 secured bond and is scheduled to make a first court appearance on Wednesday.