The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 53-year-old man on human trafficking for involuntary servitude charges after he forced a female masseuse to perform illicit acts at a Golden-area massage parlor, according to a JCSO press release.

Yuewu Zhao was arrested the week of Sept. 18 and issued a $100,000 cash or surety bond at his first court appearance, JCSO announced in the Sept. 21 press release.

Zhao is next scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. Oct. 17 at the Jefferson County Courthouse.

In early 2023, the JCSO received a report of alleged sexual acts being performed at a massage parlor in the 16000 block of South Golden Road. The reporting party believed the female masseuse was a victim of human trafficking.

Sheriff’s investigators reportedly found evidence of illegal sexual acts, stating one masseuse — a foreign citizen — was being coerced in exchange for a promised green card.

JCSO personnel confirmed that as of Sept. 21 there’s only one known victim in the case.

Its Victim Services Unit is supporting that individual, the Sheriff’s Office stated, and encouraged people to report any suspected human trafficking activity to law enforcement.

For more information about how to prevent human trafficking or to report suspected activity, visit humantraffickinghotline.org.