‘It's a big problem in Baton Rouge': Authorities suspect human trafficking in massage parlors
ZACHARY, La. (Louisiana First) — The day after multi-agency raids at massage parlors across the Capitol area, each location was closed. Authorities said deportations are possible, and more parlors could be busted next.
'This is just the beginning of actions we hope to be able to take,' said Hillar Moore, East Baton Rouge's District Attorney.
The nine locations include spots in St. George, Baton Rouge, and Zachary:
•14111 Airline Highway, St. George, La. – Y& L Body Relaxation
•9065 Perkins Road, St. George, La. – Spring Body Conditioning
•17301 Jefferson Highway, St. George, La. – Magnolia Spa
•712 O'Neal Lane, Baton Rouge, La. – Wonderful Land Spa
•804 O'Neal Lane, Baton Rouge, La. – All Natural Spa
•4528 Bennington Avenue, Baton Rouge, La. – YY Rainbow Spa
•12240 Coursey Boulevard, Baton Rouge, La. – Oriental Relax Spa
•156 McGehee Drive, Baton Rouge, La. – Orange Spa
•5145 Main Street, Zachary, La. – Vivian's Therapy Spa
'The sheriff's office received a lot of complaints from regular businesses operating in these malls, plus citizens who were complaining,' Moore said.
Moore said the massage board issued cease and desist letters, fines, and more, trying to shut these parlors down. It took a multi-agency approach, including federal government agents, to act.
'We picked out these nine as being those that are the top level that we wanted to pay attention to,' Moore said.
Authorities said they detained nearly a dozen women, nine of whom were in the country illegally. They said the parlors were illegal because they did not have a license, operated prostitution, and violated other codes.
The Zachary location had documents taped to its door on Thursday. One was from the state fire marshal's office outlining code violations. Two were from the Department of Homeland Security, including a subpoena and a notice of inspection that mentioned potential immigration violations.
A number for an owner was listed in a document, and Louisiana First Investigates contacted that person, listed as Hu Ming Ying. In a phone conversation, Ying initially acknowledged the raid when asked.
'Yes, somebody called me, I know,' Ying said.
Ying was then asked whether prostitution was going on at the parlor.
'I don't understand,' Ying said.
Ying called back several minutes later with another woman to help translate on the line. The question was repeated.
'Sorry, she doesn't know anything about that,' Ying said.
Moore said most of the women could be deported, and they are also likely victims of human trafficking. He said counselors who speak Chinese were made available to them, and authorities want to hone in on who the owners of these parlors are.
'Our goal is to get to the larger person that's behind this, that's trafficking the women, that's making money,' Moore said.
Moore said more massage parlors could be next.
'You'd better make sure you have a license,' Moore said. 'You'd better make sure you're doing everything above board.'
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