The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Massage parlors included in commercial sex investigation
Agents with the Ohio Investigative Unit and members of the United States Secret Service Northern District of Ohio Task Force arrested multiple individuals connected to Ohio massage parlors including three in Lorain County as part of a long-term commercial sex investigation.
As a result of the investigation, 16 search warrants were executed in seven counties throughout northern Ohio, according to a news release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Search warrants were executed at Ming Relax Inc., 4000 Oberlin Ave., Unit 2, Lorain; Sun GR Reflect Inc., 26761 Royalton Road, Columbia Station; and Posh Massage, Inc., 37300 Detroit Road, Avon.
In 2017, agents received complaints about possible illegal activity taking place in massage parlors.
The two-year investigation revealed a group of individuals involved in an illegal commercial sex enterprise.
“We will not turn a blind eye to criminal enterprises, such as this one,” said Major Gary Allen, Ohio Investigative Unit commander. “We will continue to work with our partners to hold those accountable for their roles in commercial sex businesses.”
“These parlors were illegally operating throughout multiple communities, including four here in Cuyahoga County,” said Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley. “I commend the multiple agencies involved who helped put an end to this criminal activity.”
Search warrants also were executed at Hua Nan Massage, formerly SJ Relax Inc., 4004 Milan Road, Unit A, Perkins Township, and in Cleveland, Brunswick, Strongsville, Broadview Heights, Kent, Median, Wooster and Mansfield.
Participating agencies involved in the investigation include: Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office; United States Attorney’s Office; Secret Service; FBI; U.S. Board Patrol; U.S. Homeland Security Investigations; IRS; Cuyahoga Regional Human Trafficking Task Force; U.S. Marshal’s Office; Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation; Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation; Ohio Medical Board; Ohio State Highway Patrol; Lorain County Sheriff’s Office; Brunswick, Perkins Township, Lorain, Cleveland, Mansfield, Kent, Wooster and Medina Township police departments.
Interpreters from the FBI and the Secret Service assisted with the search warrants.
Victim service organizations also were on scene.