3 days ago
Hot Springs locals react to human trafficking investigation at massage business
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – AI Massage in Hot Springs is under investigation by the Attorney General's Office for alleged prostitution and human trafficking.
People who live and work in Hot Springs, like Hannah and Cole Carey, said they can't believe something like this was happening in their city.
'It's really just shocking to me that it's so close to home,' Hannah Carey said.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announces organized retail crime bust & human trafficking investigation
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said a May 22 raid on AI Massage on Central Avenue stemmed from information gathered during previous investigations into other massage parlors busted for illicit sexual activity.
According to Griffin, three Chinese nationals were identified as victims and are now receiving support services. One woman told investigators she responded to an online job ad in China and did not know she would be doing sex work.
'It kind of hits you hard, just makes you feel bad for them, thinking about what else they went through,' Cole Carey said.
Griffin said investigators uncovered evidence pointing to sexual activity.
'Illicit sexual activity, prostitution going on in these massage parlors. We not only talked to the victims to confirm it, there were about 100 condoms there, which normally would not be at a spa,' Griffin said, 'There was what we believe to be a home remedy used to treat sexually transmitted infections, also implying that sexual activity is going on.'
Authorities also recovered $22,000 in American cash along with some foreign currency. Griffin said no arrests have been made yet because the individuals believed to be running the operation were not there during the raid. However, he said law enforcement is following every lead.
'I'm grateful to law enforcement who have been on top of this and trying to get to the bottom of it,' said Tina Haney, another Hot Springs local. 'It's disappointing to have this going on right under our noses and not even realize it.'
Arkansas Attorney General announces grant to combat human trafficking in Arkansas
The massage parlor under investigation is open today. KARK 4 News went there to ask for a comment, but the people there said their boss wasn't there and declined to comment.
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