Adult Businesses Focus Of Code Crackdown
City: No Massage Parlors, Escort Services Not Licensed
POSTED: 5:33 pm EDT June 30, 2009
UPDATED: 6:50 pm EDT June 30, 2009
INDIANAPOLIS — A new city department has taken aim on Indianapolis massage parlors and escort services.
The Department of Code Enforcement, approved by the City-County Council Monday night, will focus on issues that threaten safety and property values, and adult-oriented businesses are the first targets, 6News’ Jack Rinehart reported.
Various code enforcement functions will now be consolidated under one city agency, giving one office the teeth to clean up what city officials think is a pervasive problem.
No appointment is necessary at Chinese Therapeutic Massage, on Indianapolis’ far northeast side, but employees didn’t seem sure if they had licenses.
Relaxation Asian Massage, on the city’s east side, boasts licensed masseuses, but couldn’t provide license information to 6News.
See the full article from “INDYchannel.com”
A six-month investigation of three Avon massage parlors led to the arrest of four women.
Employees at the three parlors Chinese Star Massage, Sunny Spa and Sunshine Spa, all located on U.S. 36 were arrested Tuesday on preliminary charges of felony prostitution, after police said they offered to perform sex acts on undercover detectives.
The names of the women arrested, according to police, are Shu Mei Chen, Qiu Lin Liao, Xiao Lin Liao and Yong Yuan. Their ages were not immediately available.
Lewis said police couldnt shut down the businesses, but additional charges could be issued as the investigation continues.
Call Star reporter Josh Duke at (317) 444-2810.
See the full article from “Indianapolis Star”
Avon officials hope to permanently shut three ‘massage parlor‘ sites
Avon leaders met with the town’s lawyer Thursday to determine if they can legally shut down three Avon massage parlors that local police say were fronts for prostitution.
Four women were arrested Tuesday on preliminary charges of misdemeanor prostitution after a six-month investigation of Chinese Star Massage, Sunny Spa and Sunshine Spa, all on U.S. 36.
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Giving more than massages in a massage parlor wouldn’t be new to Hendricks County or the Central Indiana region. About 15 years ago, several massage parlors moved just across the Marion County border into Hendricks County. A joint effort by police in both counties forced them out of business.
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The last time Avon made a prostitution arrest at a massage parlor was in September 2007. That arrest, which led to a conviction, occurred while town leaders were considering an ordinance to require massage therapy businesses to obtain a local permit.
See the full article from “Indianapolis Star”