The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has shut down six massage businesses across the state for suspected human trafficking.
The closures, effective June 16, targeted businesses in Midland, Katy, Spring, Houston, Plano, and Big Spring. Investigators found online ads offering sexual services, unlicensed workers, missing client records, and sexual paraphernalia. Some employees were reportedly living on-site, and investigators found role-playing costumes at the businesses.
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TDLR identified Wanli Peng as the owner of all six businesses. Peng and his associated companies were ordered to cease operations at the locations.
In Plano, a customer at Yu Spa reported inappropriate touching to police, which led to the arrest of an employee for prostitution after offering sexual services to an undercover officer.
The closed locations include:
- Massage A+, 3211 W. Wadley Ave., Ste. 12, Midland
- Healing Garden Massage, 956 S. Fry Rd., Katy
- Massage Pro 1, 2150 FM 2920 Rd., Ste. 200, Spring
- Massage Invite, 2685 Highway 6 S., Houston
- Yu Spa, 2001 Coit Rd., Ste. 169, Plano
- YY Spa, 501 Birdwell Ln., Ste. 17, Big Spring
READ MORE: Katy woman says she was duped into paying $3K for spa subscription
Peng has been previously linked to other illicit massage operations. He surrendered his license for Morris Spa in Flower Mound after human trafficking indicators surfaced, and was caught operating Chi Kung Foot Spa in Dallas without a license during a joint investigation by TDLR and Dallas Police.
If you suspect human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733). In an emergency, call 911. You can also file a complaint about a TDLR-regulated business suspected of trafficking through the TDLR website.