Several local and state law enforcement agencies swooped in on seven locations all at the same time in Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Taylorsville, and American Fork. Sitting in an unmarked vehicle, investigators watched the business from afar.
Parked in front of Magic Massage, a man got out of his car and walked inside. Authorities waited for the right moment to strike. A line of law enforcement officers suddenly rushed to the front of the business, and barged through the front door. The man was already undressed. The entire sting operation started when one of his detectives received a tip about a single massage parlor, and decided to investigate.
Their careful, months-long investigation grew to locations all over the valley, he indicated, and crossed into Utah County. Leo Lucey, Chief of Investigations at the Utah Attorney General's Office, explained that the they believe the businesses offered more than just massages, and served as a front for a human and sex trafficking criminal operation. Lucey described how the victims are often tricked into thinking they are coming to the US for a legitimate job, and a better life.
Lucey went on to say that the women are under the impression that work visas have been secured for them, but all documents are immediately taken away from them upon arriving in the US. He said the victims arrive in port cities, and are flown to Salt Lake City where they are then distributed throughout the area to massage parlors. The women have nowhere to go, and no way to escape. Lucey said they identified more than a dozen victims in Wednesday's bust between the six massage parlors.
The women were offered assistance and were provided with shelter, medical care and other services. The Asian Association of Utah, interpreters, and victim's advocates are now working closely to help the victims from here, Lucey indicated. Lianfang Feng 54 , Ruixue Chen 37 , and Xiuyun Huo 45 were all arrested in relation to the incident on charges of exploitation of a prostitute, aiding prostitution, money laundering, pattern of unlawful activity, and maintaining a public nuisance.
