Kenberma day spa owner charged with prostitution

By Christopher Haraden

The owner of a Hull massage business has been arrested and charged with running a prostitution operation at the Sunny Hull Spa in the Kenberma shopping district.

On Jan. 9, Hull Police arrested Lianli Qu, 54, and charged her with sexual conduct for a fee, trafficking of a person for sexual servitude, and maintaining a house of prostitution. Police also seized three iPhones, a customer payment ledger, and $5,293 in cash from the Kenberma Place storefront at 522 Nantasket Ave.

According to police, Qu took over the business in October from Yuying Hu, who had owned the business since June. Neither Qu nor Hu are currently licensed massage therapists; in paperwork filed with the Hull Town Clerk, they described the business as a “Rolfing service.” Rolfing Structural Integration, named for Dr. Ida P. Rolf, is a decades-old form of deep-tissue bodywork that is similar to massage and is used to relieve tension and treat pain. According to the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Massage Therapy, practitioners of Rolf Structural Integration are exempt from state licensing laws. Hull’s health department became suspicious of the business last year and reported these concerns to the police.

Lianli Qu was arrested on Jan. 9. [Hull Police photo]

Qu advertised Sunny Hull Spa on several “known adult sex websites” that state and federal investigators regularly monitor for illegal activity, Hull Police Officer Leanne Marshalsea wrote in her report detailing the arrest.

“It is known that this type of massage parlor is a front for prostitution,” Marshalsea wrote. “Customers frequent these parlors looking for more than a massage: specifically ‘happy endings.’ This is done by the customer paying for the price of a massage, which generally goes to the business, and then to the monetary ‘tip’ which goes to the masseuse for extra service.”

In December, police officers watched as at least three separate “lone male” customers patronized the business and then questioned them after they left; all three are cooperating as witnesses in the continuing investigation.

According to the police report, Qu is from a neighborhood in New York City that is “a known illegal point of entry where these women are introduced into the sex trade.” Marshalsea reported that after closing the spa for the day, “Qu would not leave the business during closing hours and would sleep inside the business.”

“Based on the knowledge of investigators and speaking with state and federal officers who are involved in sex trafficking, it is known that Asian style massage parlors rotate the women through the massage parlors and transport them, as they do not have vehicles,” Marshalsea continued, adding that the businesses typically contain “sleeping quarters within the parlor, as the women do not leave the building,” and “networks of Asian-style massage parlors are used to employ Asian women that are illegal or undocumented immigrants.”

Hull Police arrested Qu with the help of Canton Police Officer Thomas Mei, who is fluent in Mandarin. She told officers that all of her identifying documents were in New York, and that she purchased the business from her “friend Lilly” but planned to sell it. When officers informed her of the charges, “Qu responded multiple times, ‘Impossible,’” according to the police report.

After the arrest, the Hull health and building departments were notified, as was the state licensing board, and the business is closed.

Police Chief John Dunn said the investigation remains active.

“The Hull Police Department strives to enhance the quality of life in the Town of Hull,” Dunn said Wednesday. “People should feel comfortable and safe living and visiting our town. Sadly, places like this give a bad name to legitimate establishments.”

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No damage reported after student lights small fire in Jacobs classroom

Hull police and school officials are investigating after a Jacobs Elementary School student allegedly lit a small fire in a classroom Tuesday afternoon.
Principal Christine Cappadona and Hull School Resource Officer Leanne Marshalsea were informed that, around 2 p.m., a fifth grade student had used a box of matches to light a stack of tissues on fire in the corner of one the school's technology classrooms.
Between periods, the student allegedly entered an empty classroom. When he was determined to be missing, a teacher went to investigate and saw the student exiting the classroom. Moments later, another teacher went into the classroom and discovered the fire. The teacher was able to grab the stack of tissues and put the fire out in the classroom sink.
The fire was very small and was contained to just the stack of tissues, according to a joint press statement issued by schools Superintendent Michael Devine and Police Chief John Dunn.
Because the blaze was so small, the fire alarms did not sound and school maintenance staff were able to quickly vent and clean the classroom.
Administrators retrieved the matches from the student, who has been removed from the school on an emergency basis. The Hull Police Department is investigating, but because of the student's age, criminal charges are not possible. Police are advising and offering resources to the school district.
No one was injured, and there was no damage to the building or any school materials.
"I want to commend teachers and staff at the Jacobs Elementary School for their swift actions that led to a quick resolution without injury or damage to school property," the superintendent said.

Hull police arrest three men on heroin trafficking charges

Chief John Dunn reports that the Hull Police Department arrested and charged three men with trafficking heroin following a traffic stop on Sunday, April 21.

Giovanni Cruz, 19, of Belmont, Tomas Martinez, 24, of Dorchester, and Raphy Veras, 19, of Quincy, were each charged with:

• Trafficking in heroin over 36 grams

• Possession to distribute a Class A drug (heroin)

• Possession of a Class A drug (heroin)

• Possession with intent to distribute a Class D drug (marijuana)

• Possession of a Class D drug (marijuana)

• Possession of a burglarious instrument

In addition, Cruz was charged with operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license, marked lanes violation, and malicious destruction of property under $1,200.

At approximately 10:45 p.m. Sunday, Hull police received a report of an erratic driver in the area of 50 George Washington Blvd.

Hull Police Officer Stephen Glavin located and allegedly observed the driver drift between lanes and almost cross into the opposite lane of traffic twice.

Glavin pulled over the driver near 45 Hull Shore Dr., the Nantasket Beach Resort. As Glavin approached the vehicle and spoke to the driver, later identified as Cruz, the officer noticed a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle.

During the course of the traffic stop, Glavin determined that Cruz was driving with a suspended license. The two passengers, Martinez and Veras, did not have valid driver's licenses and, as a result, the vehicle needed to be towed because it was blocking the driveway of a business.

While performing a routine inventory of the vehicle prior to the tow, officers located and seized approximately 41.8 grams of heroin mixed with fentanyl, 224 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, and an item used to open locked car doors known as a "slim jim."

Cruz was also found to have 47.8 grams of marijuana in his pockets, police said in a statement. 

The three men were placed under arrest and taken to the Hull Police Department to be booked.

While inside of his holding cell, Cruz allegedly purposefully clogged the toilet with a roll of toilet paper, causing the cell to flood with water, resulting in the malicious destruction of property charge.

The three men were expected to be arraigned Monday in Hingham District Court.

Police investigating body found off Pemberton Point

Chief John Dunn reports that the Hull Police Department is investigating after the body of an adult male was found in the waters off Pemberton Point today [Wednesday, Jan. 2].

Hull Police were called to a location off Main Street, near the commuter boat pier, shortly after noon. Officials located the body of an adult male believed to be in his 30s. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The initial investigation indicates that the incident is not suspicious, Dunn said.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available, he said.

Nantasket Avenue fire displaces 6 families

Chief John Dunn reports that the Hull Police Department responded to an apartment fire on Nantasket Avenue Friday afternoon. The Kenberma fire displaced six families. Its cause is being investigated.
At approximately 4 p.m., Hull Police were notified about a fire alarm at 527 Nantasket Ave., a multi-family apartment building.
When officers arrived, a male tenant was uncooperative and would not leave the unit, despite the blaze. Multiple officers had to go inside the building in order to get the man out safely. 
He was placed in protective custody and taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
Three police officers suffered minor smoke inhalation and were transported to the hospital out of an abundance of caution.
The rest of the residents were able to make it out of the building safely and no other injuries were reported.
Firefighters from the Hull Fire Department quickly extinguished the flames. The unit where the fire occurred sustained significant damage and other units had smoke and water damage. Utilities in the building have been temporarily shut off.
Six families living in the building were all displaced and most were being assisted by the American Red Cross.
Investigators from the State Fire Marshal's office have been called to the scene. The initial investigation indicates that the fire originated in the kitchen. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Afternoon classes resumed after morning lockdown at Memorial

The following is a statement from schools Superintendent Michael Devine and Police Chief John Dunn regarding an incident at the Memorial Middle School Tuesday morning:

At approximately 11:30 a.m., Hull Police received a call from administration at Memorial Middle School, 81 Central Ave., after a male eighth-grade student made a concerning remark about a firearm.The student then left the building. 

Out of an abundance of caution, the school was placed on lockdown. Police located the student a few blocks from the school, and he was taken to an area hospital for an evaluation.

No weapons were found in the building and there is no threat to students, faculty, or the community. The student's parents were contacted; no weapons were found in their home during a subsequent search. The lockdown was lifted at noon and classes resumed as is normal.

The incident remains under investigation by the Hull Police Department.

Town seeks seasonal officers

The Hull Police Department is accepting applications for seasonal police officers this summer. 

Open to women and men from any town, becoming a seasonal police officer is a great way to gain real-world experience and on-the-job training. Most applicants have not been to a full-time police academy and becoming a seasonal officer makes them more marketable to their resident department for sponsorship if they decide they would like to pursue a full-time police officer position.

Led by Hull Police Sgt. Scott F. Saunders, seasonal officers are led through a series of tests throughout the hiring process. Candidates go through a background check, medical checkup, firearms qualification course, physical agility test, and in-house training before going out onto the streets as an officer. Not only do the tests and training prepare them for their seasonal position at Hull, but it also helps prepare them for full-time positions. 

"Our program is a great way to get people in here and give them some practical experience,” Sgt. Saunders said. “A lot of applicants don’t truly know the ins and outs of being a police office,  and our program helps them figure out if they would like to pursue this career full-time in the future.”

The position runs from Memorial Day to Sept. 13 and includes three shifts per week. After Sept. 13, officers can apply to be special officers, where they will be sworn in and extend their service through the winter months with two shifts per week.

To be considered, applicants must be 21 years of age, have graduated from an MPTC Reserve Police Academy, be CPR- and first aid certified, submit to a full background and CORI check, and complete a medical and PAT test at their own cost. 

Interested applicants should contact Sgt. Saunders at ssaunders@hullpolice.org by March 1 for details and/or consideration.

Hull Police arrest another person for vandalizing historic fort

The Hull Police Department arrested a Cohasset woman Friday for allegedly vandalizing Fort Revere. That arrest came less than 24 hours after police arrested a trio of East Bridgewater residents on the same charge.

Margaret St. Sauveur, 20, of Cohasset was arrested and charged with tagging property.

At 2:49 p.m. Friday, Hull Police responded to Fort Revere to investigate a report of graffiti in progress. Police were told that the suspect got into a black Ford Escape. An officer located the vehicle nearby and made a traffic stop.

The driver, identified as St. Sauveur, allegedly had blue paint on her hands. The officer saw paint and paintbrushes on the floor of the car in plain view. Police also found a can of blue paint at the site of the tagging, Hull Police Chief John Dunn said today.
St. Sauveur was arrested and released on personal recognizance pending arraignment at Hingham District Court.

At about 8 p.m. the night before, Jacob Looney, Emma Pimental, and Emily Rose, all 18 and all of West Bridgewater, were arrested and charged with malicious destruction of property after Hull police were called to Fort Revere for a tagging report.

The Hull Redevelopment Authority and the state Department of Conservation & Recreation paid for anti-graffiti paint that a corps of volunteers applied to the historic fort in June.

Since then, Hull Police have stepped up patrols in the area. The state police have also made multiple arrests for vandalism and trespassing over the last couple of weeks.

Chief Dunn said law enforcement will continue to closely monitor Fort Revere and will not hesitate to charge those who are found to be breaking the law.

"Fort Revere is a historic site and is hallowed ground, as it serves as a burial ground for French soldiers who died assisting our young nation in the American Revolution. We will not tolerate the desecration of this site," Dunn said. "If you tag or vandalize at Fort Revere, we will arrest you."

[This story has been updated to correct the hometown listed for the trio arrested on Aug. 24. The police statement listed it as East Bridgewater. The police log has the three as residents of West Bridgewater.]