On July 22nd, 2024, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) implemented a six-month emergency shutdown closing the San Massage Spa on suspicion of human trafficking. The San Massage Spa is located at 2595 Jackson Keller Road. The closure follows an inspection in June during which investigators found a can full of new and used condoms, scantily clad workers, and signs that the “employees” were living in the San Massage Spa. Additionally, they were cited for a lack of client paperwork to document the customers and services provided.
San Massage Spa’s History of Violations
This was not the first run-in with TDLR that the San Massage Parlor has had. According to the emergency shutdown order, back in 2023 the TDLR inspected the property and issued a warning letter after an inspection revealed signs of people living there, unlicensed massage therapists on site, and lack of client documentation.
Human Trafficking Crack Down
In September of 2023, the Texas legislature amended Texas Occupations Code 455.252(2) to allow TDLR to issue an emergency order to close a massage parlor if TDLR has reasonable cause to believe human trafficking is occurring on the premises. This amendment empowered TDLR to initiate shut-down orders such as the present one. Why the “emergency” order took a month to issue and go into effect after the June investigation is unclear.
The Outward Appearance Can Be Deceiving
On its face, the San Massage Spa appears to be a normal massage parlor. They have a website sanmassagespa.wixsite.com/mysite that, although it is a Wix page, otherwise looks like any legitimate massage parlor would be expected to appear. They have a Yelp listing with positive reviews from normal-sounding clients and even a Facebook page advertising types of massage and rates. “We provide different types of massage such as deep tissue, Swedish massage, Thai massage, Chinese massage, foot massage, etc. Come for a relaxing and stress” according to their Facebook page. However, according to TDLR investigators, there were advertisements for illicit sex on the internet related to the San Massage Spa. At this point, the investigation is still ongoing.
Signs a Business May Be a Sex Trafficking Front
Businesses that engage in illicit sex trafficking generally do not put a big sign outside announcing their violation of the law. They may look completely legitimate. Some things that the public can look at in determining whether a business might be engaged in human trafficking include:
- Employees are rarely seen coming and going.
- Employees only leave together in the same vehicle and/or with supervision.
- Employees report owing their employer money.
- Employees living with the employer.
- Foreign employees who do not like to discuss their families.
- Employees who rarely make eye contact and seem fearful.
- Employees with tattoos that all match, indicate gang or ownership-type signs, or depict money. They are often located on the neck or face as outward signs of ownership.
- Employees appear malnourished, abused, and/or unhealthy.
Fighting Human Trafficking
If you suspect a business is engaged in human trafficking, you can report it by calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888 or texting “Help” or “Info” at BeFree (233733). You can also file a complaint with TDLR.
If you are being trafficked and need help getting out, call Rescue America at 833-599-FREE to get free help. Rescue America provides free transportation to get people out of human trafficking situations and arranges free hotel stays for survivors until they can be safely homed in facilities nationwide that aid human trafficking survivors such as Redeemed Ministries or The Haven. Get a confidential case review with a human trafficking attorney if you were trafficked by, through, or in a local business such as a massage parlor, hotel/motel, or truck stop.
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