Massage Business Owner Faces Human Trafficking Charge After Jonesboro Court Appearance

JONESBORO, Ark. — The owner and business manager of a Jonesboro massage business appeared in court Friday and now faces a Class A felony human trafficking charge following an investigation that began with a complaint submitted to the FBI.

Na Li, identified by the Jonesboro Police Department as the owner and business manager of Tree Massage, 5510 Southwest Drive, appeared Friday, June 26, by Zoom in Craighead County District Court before Judge David Boling for her 8.1 hearing. An interpreter certified in Mandarin and Cantonese translated between the judge and Li during the hearing.

In court, Li faced allegations including trafficking of persons, a Class A felony; use of another person to facilitate a crime, a Class B felony; and promoting prostitution by managing, owning, or promoting a business to do so, a Class D felony.

If convicted of the most serious offense, Li could face six to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

During the hearing, Li was advised of her right to remain silent but asked to speak. She told the court she denied the allegations.

“Your honor, I heard what was just read, I can swear none of those were true, not even a single one,” Li said through the interpreter.

Li told the judge a former employee had a falling out with her and claimed the person was trying to work against her. Li also said she wanted to speak to her attorney but could not remember the phone number, asking whether the number could be provided from her phone. The judge said he could not help her today.

The court reviewed Li’s financial information, including reported income of $7,000 per month, which was confirmed as correct. The judge found Li did not qualify for a public defender.

According to the prosecutor, Li had no prior criminal history. Prosecutors recommended bond be set at $150,000 cash or surety, with additional conditions requiring Li to forfeit any passports, wear a GPS ankle monitor and potentially be supervised by Community Corrections while on pretrial release.

The judge followed the prosecutor’s recommendation.

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Arrest

JPD announced Thursday that a special operation had been conducted at Tree Massage earlier in the day. The department said the operation included assistance from the Arkansas State University Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Hope Found, the Family Crisis Center, the U.S. Marshals Service and members of the Jonesboro SWAT team.

According to police, the investigation began after JPD received a complaint in February 2026 that had been submitted to the FBI regarding the massage business.

The complainant told authorities she went to Tree Massage for a massage and said the massage worker continued touching inappropriate areas of her body after repeatedly being told to stop, according to police. The complainant also reported being burned with hot rocks, even though she had not requested them.

Police said the complainant reported that the worker then demanded a tip and became upset when she did not provide one.

JPD said investigators conducted surveillance as part of the case. During the investigation, police said the business was found to be operating seven days a week with extended hours. Police also said employees were living on the business premises.

In April, police said a known person was observed entering the business and remaining inside for about one hour. Investigators later interviewed that person, who reportedly told police the business would perform “additional” services for compensation and tips.

No additional arrests were announced in the information released Thursday. The case remains under investigation.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

A special operation was conducted at a business on Southwest Drive earlier today with assistance from ASUPD, HSI, Hope Found, the Family Crisis Center, US Marshals, and members of the Jonesboro SWAT team.

In February of 2026, the Jonesboro Police Department received a complaint submitted to the FBI regarding a massage parlor in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The complainant advised that she went to Tree Massage at 5510 Southwest Drive for a massage. She stated that the masseur kept massaging inappropriate places on her body after repeatedly being told to stop. She then burned her with hot rocks, even though she had never requested them. The masseur then demanded a tip and became upset when she did not provide one.

Surveillance was conducted, and it was discovered that the business operated seven days a week with extended hours. Only Asian females have been seen working there. The investigation also revealed that employees were living on the business premises.

In April, a known subject was seen entering the business and being inside for approximately one hour. This subject was interviewed and advised that this massage parlor would perform “additional” services for compensation and tips, services that he was familiar with.

The owner and business manager, Na Li, was taken into custody and will be booked into the Craighead County Detention Center for Promoting Prostitution, 2nd Degree. This case is still under investigation.