ORANGE COUNTY, Texas — Multiple agencies worked together to raid several massage parlors in two Southeast Texas counties as part of an investigation into human trafficking and prostitution.
Crime Stoppers tips and an influx of new massage parlors opening in Orange County led to the multi-agency investigation, according to a news release from the City of Orange Police Department and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
During the investigation, it was determined there were massage parlors located in Bridge City, Pinehurst, Vidor and Beaumont that were possibly linked.
Investigators were able to confirm that sexual acts were being performed by female employees of several massage parlors in exchange for money.
Investigators believed these female employees are victims of human trafficking, according to the release.
After this discovery, investigators reached out to federal agencies in the area to assist with the investigation.
The Orange Police Department, West Orange Police Department, Bridge City Police Department, Pinehurst Police Department, and Vidor Police Department then prepared affidavits for search warrants of seven locations.
The warrants were approved by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for the following locations:
- Anna Spa- 1005 Green Ave. in Orange
- A1 Massage- 2968 North 16th St. in Orange
- Jade Flower- #11 Strickland Dr. in Orange
- Panda Spa- 7014 Highway 87 in Orange
- Star Massage- 3515 Mockingbird #C in Pinehurst
- Rainbow Massage- 2070 #B Texas Ave. in Bridge City
- Sunlight Spa- 120 West Bolivar in Vidor
The warrants were presented to and granted by Orange County 128th District Court Judge Arkeen.
When officers and deputies raided the Thai Sunlight Massage in Vidor at about 8 a.m. Wednesday, two women could be seen sitting on the ground outside the parlor surrounded by police officers.
"The biggest problem is that sex trafficking and human trafficking is coming right down the interstate," said Vidor Police Chief Rod Carroll. "Yeah, Crimes Stoppers, somebody reached out to us and being anonymous said they had been in there and they were touched in an inappropriate manner."
Carroll says that tip led to months of investigating.
"We had officers doing surveillance. Lots of people were on video coming and going," he said.
Two people were detained, but no one has been arrested.
"We don't have ability to close an establishment unless we go through so other steps to shut them down, but I advise them not to reopen because we will be back," Carroll said.
Upon the execution of the search warrant at Anna Spa, a patron of the business was arrested for prostitution.
Vidor massage parlor investigation
Detectives also served a search warrant Wednesday morning at the Long Long Health Spa at 5425 College St. in Beaumont.
Two people, who were at the spa when detectives arrived, were questioned and detectives collected "evidence of prostitution" according to a news release from the Beaumont Police Department.
The spa was shut down because of multiple building and code violations that were found by inspectors.
Harvest House Education Coordinator Brittany DeLaGarza says these cases show why they work so hard to educate teens about the dangers of trafficking.
"We go into the classrooms we talk about all different topics. We try to talk about the red flags that may be somebody's initials to show ownership," DeLaGarza said.
DeLaGarza says trafficking can happen in person and online.
"We're hoping that that gets better, that's there's more check in's and that parents get more involved," she said.
"What is the greatest right we have as human beings is freedom. Nobody should be treated the ways these young people are being treated," Carroll said.
While serving warrants throughout Orange and Jefferson Counties, evidence was located that was consistent with human trafficking, promotion of prostitution, prostitution and organized criminal activity.
The following agencies assisted with the execution of the search warrants:
- Orange Police Department
- Orange County District Attorney’s Office
- West Orange Police Department
- Pinehurst Police Department
- Bridge City Police Department
- Vidor Police Department
- Beaumont Police Department
- Orange County Constable Precinct One Lannie Claybar
- Homeland Security Investigations
- Newton County Pct. 4 Special Operations Task Force
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