OREM โ Six people were arrested Thursday following an investigation into massage parlors in Utah County that police say were fronts for human trafficking and prostitution. The investigation started in September based on an anonymous tip from a citizen, said American Fork Police Lt.
Josh Christensen. Over the next several months, undercover officers went to at least four massage parlors in American Fork and Orem and reported that they were offered sex acts in exchange for money. The investigation culminated on Thursday when search warrants were served at the four businesses and a home in Lindon, he said.
Women working at some massage parlors are often required to live there and rarely leave, Christensen said. At least one woman who police say is a victim of human trafficking was rescued Thursday, he said. At one massage parlor on Thursday, officers found a customer who admitted he had learned about the business on the dark web, according to an affidavit. Large amounts of cash were also seized by police serving search warrants on Thursday, the affidavit says. Police said the businesses they are investigating include the Sunflower Massage, E.
Orem Blvd. He said it may lead to the rescue of additional human trafficking victims. Correction: An earlier version incorrectly said the victim received help from the Asian Aid Society. The group is called the Asian Association of Utah. Facebook Twitter. Deseret News.
Deseret Magazine. Church News. Print Subscriptions. Tuesday, April 25, Search Query Search. By Pat Reavy. Stuart Johnson, Deseret News. The group could face federal charges, according to Christensen.
