8 arrested in Arizona sex trafficking case

Eight people have been arrested in connection with a suspected human trafficking operation linked to massage parlors in Lake Havasu City and Bullhead City in western Arizona, authorities said Tuesday.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials held a joint press conference with the Lake Havasu City and Bullhead City police departments on Tuesday, releasing details about an extensive undercover operation that led to the arrests.

“Some undercover activity had been taking place at a number of massage parlors after receiving numerous complaints and tips related to these parlors, including sexual acts in exchange for money,” said Lon Weigand, deputy special agent in charge of Homeland Security investigations in Phoenix.

The investigation found that seven massage parlors offered sexual acts in exchange for money, Weigand said. All the parlors had only Asian females working for them, officials said.

“Asian females working in some of these massage parlors were instructed to live and work in the businesses and their movements were extremely restricted,” Weigand said.

Search warrants were served at 10 parlors and homes throughout the two cities, resulting in eight arrests and the rescue of two human trafficking victims, officials said.

Of the eight arrested, five were U.S. citizens and three were Chinese nationals.

“In Lake Havasu City, three business and one residential location were searched. In Bullhead City, four business and two residential locations were searched,” Weigand said.

Officials identified the following Lake Havasu City locations:

❚ Asian Spa, 70 Scott Drive, Unit A.

❚ Body Spa, 2029 W. Acoma Blvd., Unit B.

❚ Foot and Massage Spa, 1960 Mesquite Ave., Unit B.

❚ An apartment in the 2000 block of North Smoketree Avenue.

Bullhead City police did not immediately respond to a request for locations in that city that were searched.

Weigand says the investigation came as a result of tips and leads from the public.

“We had some local citizens that thought something was suspicions, they reported it to us, and upon following up on it, it launched an effort that has resulted into search warrants across two cities as well as federal involvement,” said Chief Dan Doyle of the Lake Havasu City Police Department.