Second Fort Worth massage spa at same location closed for suspected trafficking
A second Fort Worth massage parlor has been shut down at the same location after state inspectors found evidence of human trafficking at the business, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation said in a news release on Wednesday.
The parlor, Asian Spa at 1233 Woodhaven Blvd. and its owner Xiaojin Yang were ordered to stop operations effective Sept. 8 and are prohibited from operating a different massage establishment at this location for the next 12 months, according to state officials.
In January of this year, the state closed down TAO Spa, another massage parlor at the same address, with an emergency order. The owner of that spa, Xiaodian Dian Piao, agreed on March 5 to stop working in the massage business in Texas, according to the release.
In May, inspectors from the state found several indicators of possible human trafficking at the Woodhaven address, including people living on the premises, according to the release. An online investigation also found that the location was advertising on illicit websites that promote sexual services.
Fort Worth police officers found evidence in July that employees at the business were involved in prostitution, according to the release.
Since late 2023, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation said it has issued 52 emergency orders relating to human trafficking, affecting 75 locations across the state.
A state law, HB 3579, went into effect on Sept. 1, 2023., allowing TDLR’s executive director to issue emergency orders halting the operation of any massage establishment if law enforcement or TDLR find evidence of human trafficking.
Anyone who suspects human trafficking is occurring can contact the National Hotline for Human Trafficking at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733). If the situation is an emergency or you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 911 and alert the authorities.
You can also file a complaint online at tdlr.texas.gov/complaints