Mother and daughter charged with forcing woman into prostitution at Brooklyn massage parlors, according to officials.

A mother-daughter pair was arrested in connection with an alleged prostitution ring operating from various massage parlors in Brooklyn. Taya Benayun, 59, and her daughter Vladilina Benaun, 37, both from Brighton Beach, face serious charges, including sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and promoting prostitution. The accusations stem from claims that they coerced a woman into sex work while profiting from the exploitation of other vulnerable individuals in dire financial circumstances.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced the charges in a statement emphasizing the disturbing nature of the allegations. He noted that the defendants purportedly preyed on a susceptible woman during a particularly challenging period in her life while managing several illegal massage parlors across the borough. Gonzalez reiterated his office’s commitment to thoroughly investigating cases of human trafficking, highlighting the necessity of shielding victims and combating the exploitation of women.

The investigation began when law enforcement received a series of community complaints regarding one of the establishments located at 2281 McDonald Avenue in Gravesend. According to reports, in early January 2024, a 23-year-old woman sought assistance to financially support her ailing father and was referred to Benayun and Benaun by a friend. The victim was allegedly forced to work from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. six days per week and split her earnings equally with her captors.

Tragically, the victim’s father passed away in June 2024, which reportedly led to her health deteriorating, resulting in her hospitalization. During her recovery, she received persistent calls and messages from the mother-daughter team, who threatened to report her to law enforcement if she did not return to work. They allegedly also issued threats of physical violence to ensure compliance.

In a subsequent development, a second victim, a 20-year-old woman, joined the operation after responding to an advertisement for massage employees in a Russian-language publication. She too reported divided earnings and revealed that surveillance cameras monitored workers at both locations, creating an environment of fear and constant oversight.

Both Taya Benayun and Vladilina Benaun were arraigned and held on bail set at 0,000 cash each or 0,000 bond. They are scheduled to return to court on February 11, as the investigation continues into the disturbing allegations of exploitation and human trafficking unfolding in Brooklyn.