Law enforcement continues to crack down on massage parlors - 12newsnow.com KBMT-KJAC

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According to a press release from TLDR, it was the first emergency closure ordered by TDLR under authority granted by House Bill 3579.


BEAUMONT, Texas — The Owner of a Houston massage establishment closed for suspected human trafficking agrees to permanently close seven additional establishments, including two in Beaumont, and quit the massage industry.


The first of six Houston based massage parlors was reportedly closed down in late May by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), for suspected human trafficking.


RELATED: West end Beaumont massage parlor shut down, woman arrested on prostitution charge Thursday morning


TLDR issued an emergency closure order on May 30 against Foot Reflexology Star owner Hsin Wei Chen.


According to a press release from TLDR, it was the first emergency closure ordered by TDLR under authority granted by House Bill 3579, authored by Representative Ben Bumgarner and sponsored by Senator Phil King, and passed by the 88th Texas Legislature.


The settlement order stipulates that Chen may not own or manage a massage establishment or work as a massage therapist or massage therapy instructor in Texas for the rest of his lifetime.


"This emergency closure and the resulting settlement order should be a signal to human traffickers that we now have the tools to root out these destructive crimes against vulnerable people," said Courtney Arbour, TDLR executive director. "Multiple teams across TDLR worked together to accomplish this outcome, and we'll continue to work with our local law enforcement partners to bring these crimes to light and take action."


Under the law, which went into effect on September 1, 2023, TDLR's executive director can issue an emergency order halting the operation of any massage establishment if law enforcement or TDLR believes human trafficking is occurring at the establishment.


During a recent inspection, TDLR inspectors found reasonable cause that human trafficking could be happening at the establishment, located at 10801 Spring Cypress Road, Suite 12. An inspector saw several indicators that are usually present when human trafficking is occurring in a massage establishment.


As previously mentioned, two of Chen's parlors are located in Beaumont. Ivy Massage on 1780 N. Major Dr. and A Massage D/B/A Reflexology Massage LLC on 2570 I-10 E.


12News reached out to the state to see if it was okay for the businesses to still be in operation, to which they responded, "They're supposed to be closed now. Continued operation of the establishment may result in the imposition of additional penalties and sanctions. We are in contact with local law enforcement to inform them of the action we've taken, and will evaluate other actions we may be able to take against the establishment and its owner."


However, as of June 24, 2024 the neon "open" signs' for each establishment still remain brightly lit as they continue to operate business as usual.


12News also reached out to the City of Beaumont about the parlor's continued operation.


"All businesses must operate in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations. A massage establishment must have a valid state license to perform massages in the State of Texas and therefore they would be required to have a valid State license to operate in Beaumont," said Demi Engman, Director of Planning & Community Development.


This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.


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