A Denton massage parlor has been shut down due to suspected human trafficking.
Tao Spa, located at 1005 W. University Drive, was inspected by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and Denton County Sheriff’s Office members in mid-September. During the inspection, TDLR discovered that neither of the employees onsite at the time was a licensed massage therapist. Additionally, Tao Spa did not have the required TDLR massage establishment license.
Both onsite employees were dressed provocatively, and an ATM was placed in the middle of the establishment. Investigators found online advertisements that promoted sexual services offered at the massage parlor.
TDLR issued a six-month emergency closure order for the spa and prohibited the owner, Xiaohang Chen, from operating.
This marks the tenth emergency order issued by the TDLR since House Bill 3579 went into effect on September 1, 2023. Under HB 3579, the TDLR’s executive director can issue an emergency order immediately stopping the operation of any massage parlor if there is suspected human trafficking.
“Anyone operating a massage establishment in Texas that is not licensed as required should know that we at TDLR take seriously our responsibilities for protecting clients and employees of massage establishments,” said TDLR Executive Director Courtney Arbour in a statement. “We will do what is necessary to make sure that establishments and employees are licensed and that establishments are operating in accordance with the law.”
Also in mid-September, a Garland spa was shut down for suspected human trafficking, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. LSP Relax Spa LLC, doing business as Sen Spa was located in a strip mall at 1238 Belt Line Rd., Suite 350.
During a visit to Sen Spa, a TDLR inspector found employees wearing sexually provocative clothing and an “abundance of condoms.” Two of the three employees providing massages were not licensed in Texas, and one reportedly hid from the inspector.
In July, two Plano massage parlor employees working at Golden Feet Spa were arrested after allegations of prostitution.
In late August, nine massage spas in the Houston area were shut down after inspectors discovered “several indicators” of human trafficking, per DX.