If you or someone you know would like to report activity of human trafficking, you can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) said it issued a 12-month emergency closure order on Sept. 8 at a Round Rock massage parlor for suspected human trafficking.
TDLR said the Round Rock massage parlor was operated by the same person operating two other massage parlors in Midland that were also shut down as a result of their investigation.
The Round Rock Police Department was first called to Detour Body Works & Spa, also operating as Healing Hand Studio, back in June when a male customer reported that he had been assaulted during a massage, TDLR said in a press release.
While investigating the massage parlor, RRPD noticed a “number of indicators of possible human trafficking,” according to the press release.
“The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) attempted to inspect the property on September 10 but did not receive cooperation from the occupants. As a result, TDLR shut down the business, and the case is now closed,” RRPD said.
This is not the first time a Round Rock massage parlor was shut down for suspected human trafficking, back on March 27, ML Massage was also shut down.
“[TDLR] had received information that sexual services were being provided at the massage establishment,” Tele Mange, a spokesperson with TDLR, said. “There was a fraudulent massage therapist license. In talking with the employee, she’d been there less than a week, she was living in the establishment. She wasn’t allowed to leave.”
Since late 2023, TDLR said it has issued 53 emergency orders related to human trafficking, impacting 78 locations.
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