2 Arrested After Raids At 4 Local Massage Parlors

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COLUMBUS, Ohio - Two people were arrested as state investigators raided four Central Ohio massage parlors for alleged criminal activity Wednesday.According to Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, search warrants were served at the following locations Wednesday morning:
Amsun Massage, 128 East Olentangy Street, Powell
Amsun Massage, 1000 High Street, Worthington
Rainbow Massage, 5564 Hilliard Rome Road, Columbus
A private residence at 2144 Jasmine Court, Columbus
State, local, and federal authorities began investigating the businesses in October after tips from the community indicated that customers were purchasing sex at the massage parlors and that some workers appeared to be living at the locations.*
Individuals arrested as part of the investigation include:*
Qing Xu, age unknown, Columbus
Xiao Shuang Chao, 56, Columbus
"The suspicion in this case is that those operating these massage parlors are operating businesses where sex is being sold in addition to massages," said DeWine.* "There is also reason to believe that some workers may have been living at the businesses, which leads us to question if those women are victims of human trafficking.* Investigators are now working to determine if these workers were forced to live and work at these locations or if they were doing so of their own free will."
"The Powell Police Department received an anonymous letter in late October, alleging that Amsun Massage located in the City was being used for illicit services and that the women in servitude were spending their nights sleeping on massage tables,â€￾ said Powell Police Chief Gary Vest. “Surveillance of the Powell location supports the anonymous complaint, and it appears the women resided in the commercial location continually through nights, weekends and holidays.â€￾*
The Salvation Army of Delaware County will assist with providing housing and other necessities if any workers are identified as victims.