By: Glenn Harbison, glenn@fanninbasincitizen.com 

A suspected human trafficking operation has been shut down in Fannin County and the community is credited with putting a stop to the activities. 

Fannin County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Dustin Carder said three search warrants were served Wednesday and Thursday, August 5 and 6, at AAA Asian Spa at 5850 Appalachian Highway. One person was arrested and the owner of the building told the business to leave as a result. 

Genhua Zhou, 55, of 4255 Colden Street, Suite 6A, Flushing, New York, was charged with two misdemeanors, Keeping a Place of Prostitution and Practicing Massage Therapy Without a License. 

Carder said the sheriff’s office and Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office began getting complaints of suspicious activity at the spa in May of 2025 when the spa had only been open a few months. 

Carder opened an investigation that was joined by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit. 

Carder thanked those who reported the activity, urging the public, “If you see something, say something.” 

The local investigation is ongoing with charges possible against other persons involved, Carder said. 

Anyone who suspects human trafficking can call the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office at 706-632-2043, the Georgia Coalition to combat Human Trafficking Tip Line at 1-866-363-4842 or the National Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888.