As part of a broader effort to combat human trafficking, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has ordered the closure of 10 massage spas in the Greater Houston area. These businesses, suspected of operating as illicit brothels, were owned by Yu Shang Chen, who has since agreed to shut down the establishments and permanently exit the massage industry.
The investigation, led by the Houston Police Department and the TDLR, uncovered serious violations. In September, TDLR issued an emergency six-month closure order for Ok Foot Spa on Post Oak Road after discovering employees were "provocatively dressed" and providing sexual services instead of legitimate massage therapy. None of the employees were licensed massage therapists, according to the TDLR, raising further concerns about potential human trafficking.
This investigation also revealed that Chen was involved with several other massage parlors in the Houston area, many of which had faced complaints for employing unlicensed workers or had employees arrested for prostitution. Authorities were able to order the closure of these businesses under a new law designed to address the growing issue of human trafficking. House Bill 3579, which took effect on Sept. 1, 2023, grants the TDLR the authority to issue emergency closure orders for any massage business suspected of human trafficking.
Chen has agreed to a settlement that not only closes his 10 massage spas but also prevents him from owning or managing any massage establishments in Texas. He is barred from working as a massage therapist or instructor in the state as well.
The locations affected by the closures include:
- Ok Foot Spa, 9909 S. Post Oak Rd., Houston, TX
- Relax Foot City, 12989 Bellaire Blvd., #14A, Houston, TX
- D & B Foot Massage, 17440 FM 529 Rd., #104, Houston, TX
- 59 Spa d/b/a Heavenly Massage, 11422 Southwest Fwy., #400, Houston, TX
- Aini Massage, 3410 FM 2920, #80, Spring, TX
- Hearty Foot Healing, 101 Rosamond St., Houston, TX
- Lucky Foot Massage Parlor, 5950 FM 1960 Rd. W., Ste. C, Houston, TX
- A&H Massage, 24811 Katy Fwy., Ste. 350, Katy, TX
- F Massage, 13821 Breck St., Ste. G, Houston, TX
- S&F Spa, 2808 Hwy. 6, Ste 1A, Houston, TX
The closure of these establishments has been met with relief by local residents. Devona Hogan, who visited D&B Foot Massage, described her unsettling experience in a public Google review, "A lady comes out in lingerie-they tried to charge me $140 for a one-hour massage. Anyone who gets massages regularly knows that's overpriced for a place like this," she wrote.
Another Google review from Daniel Martinez, who visited Relax Foot City, further illustrates the dubious nature of these businesses. "What I disliked the most was that they worried my happy ending would be too quick," Martinez wrote.
According to TDLR, HB3579 was first used to shut down eight other massage parlors suspected of human trafficking and prostitution back in June. Two of the seven businesses reopened after the owner was prohibited to do so, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the enforcement measures. Following local media reports, TDLR issued a $700,000 injunction against the owner, who was identified as Hsin Wei Chen.
A total of 25 massage establishments have been closed since June 2024 according to TDLR's official website.
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