Bench warrant released in 2022 forced prostitution case in Renton

The woman was charged with attempting to promote prostitution and unlawful imprisonment in Renton after being arrested in June 2022.

Over two years after being arrested, charged and waiting through a long pre-trial period, a bench warrant has been released for the arrest of 41-year-old Quyen T. Ngyuen, who failed to appear in court in late July.

On June 15, 2022, Nguyen was charged with first-degree attempted promoting prostitution and unlawful imprisonment after being arrested at now-closed Q Spa in the Renton Highlands.

According to court documents, a then-23-year-old woman from Nicaragua had been offered a job as massage therapist at Q Spa, but was then sexually exploited at the business when she showed up for her first day of work.

The woman told police that Nguyen, an employee at the time, had held the woman against her will and expected the young woman to perform sexual services.

After several hours, the woman had found an opportunity to flee the business and called 911.

With the assistance of Valley SWAT Team, the Renton Police Department’s Special Enforcement Team and Direct Enforcement Team surveilled the business for two weeks before making the arrest.

Since June 2022, Nguyen’s trial had been postponed several times, with the latest trial date set for Monday, Aug. 19.

However, court documents show that Nguyen had failed to appear for omnibus on July 15, and a bench warrant was granted the following day with bail set at $200,000.

When Nguyen was initially accused of the felony charges, court documents noted that she had no known ties to the community and was considered a flight risk.