By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Two Hays women were arrested Wednesday in the 1700 block of Vine for promoting the sale of sex.

According to the Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees, 50-year-old Ya Dong Wen and 55-year-old Qin Yao were arrested on Jan. 31.

Dong Wen faces one charge of promoting the sale of sexual relations – a level 9 person felony – and one charge of selling sexual relations – a misdemeanor.

The first charge is alleged to have occurred on Jan. 31 while the second incident allegedly occurred on Aug. 17, 2017.

Yao faces one count of promoting the sale of sexual relations – employed to perform sexual acts – a level 9 person felony. The second charge is selling of sexual relations – a misdemeanor.

Both of the alleged offenses occurred on Jan. 31, according to Drees.

Both women made their first appearances in Ellis County District Court Friday morning before District Judge Glenn Braun.

Dong Wen remains in the Ellis County jail in lieu of posting $7,500 bond.

Yao’s bond is $5,000 and she also remains in the Ellis County jail.

The Hays Police Department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.

The charging of people are merely allegations of criminal wrongdoing, Drees said. They maintain a presumption of innocence unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.