Four massage parlors in Denton County were shut down following an investigation into suspected human trafficking activity, according to the Denton County Sheriff’s Office.
The Denton County Sheriff’s Office Human Trafficking Unit worked alongside the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to conduct licensing inspections at 18 massage parlors from June 23 to June 26, the agency said in a news release on July 29. Search warrants for five businesses were obtained as part of ongoing criminal investigations.
The illicit massage parlor abatement operation targeted human trafficking and related criminal activity suspected at the businesses. Non-profit organizations, including Mosaic House Dallas and Denton County Friends of the Family, provided services to potential victims of trafficking.
Four of the parlors were closed down on the same day that inspectors arrived. At six additional locations, investigators gathered evidence that prompted the TDLR to begin administrative closure procedures over serious violations. Eight other massage parlors were cited for licensing violations.
Two people were detained for immigration status violations based on evidence collected during the inspections, and five aggravated promotion of prostitution cases were opened. One report of human trafficking is under investigation.
Police departments and Fire and Code Enforcement personnel in Lewisville, Carrollton, Flower Mound and The Colony assisted with the operation. Chinese-speaking translators were provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Vermont State Police.
