Martin County cracks down on 7 massage parlors operating as prostitution fronts - WPEC

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STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — Following a multi-year undercover operation, deputies with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) have identified seven spas doubling as fronts for prostitution, leading to nearly two dozen arrests.

At first glance, many of these storefronts appear just like any ordinary massage parlor, with signs advertising hot stone treatments and an 'open' sign glowing outside. However, behind these closed doors, deputies say it's actually a hub for prostitution.

“Sometimes justice has to be served cold. And it's taken me this long, and my good detectives this long, to work up these cases and finally rid us of what I think is a real scourge here in our county,” Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said. “I don’t want to be specific but there are social sites where you can get on and actually look for illicit massage parlors and they're rated.”

Last year, the owner of Oriental Spas was arrested for money laundering and running a place for prostitution after authorities allegedly discovered two women living inside her spa at North Stuart Plaza.

Neighboring business owners told CBS12 News something always seemed a little suspicious.

“I'm not surprised like just didn't really know what was going on there just didn't seem right, you know, it's kind of a weird place,” Sandy Felice, owner of Raxx Billiards, said.

“Women were there at all times of night. When I’d come in sometimes, I’d still see them out there in the morning and night,” Hector Claudio, owner of Clipper Masters Barber Shop, said.

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Oriental Spa is one of four spas in Stuart to shut its doors permanently. The others listed as closed are Water Cube Massage, Palm Spa, and Green Massage.

We went to see the location where Green Massage Spa once was before deputies arrested three of its employees for prostitution and forced it to close. Apart from the sign still posted on the building, the place is hardly recognizable. The entire property had been cleared out. Deputies say they hope other spas working similar operations will do the same.

Authorities are now turning their attention to the remaining three.

Landlords leasing space to Asian Sports Massage, Orchids Massage, and Le Mandarin Massage & Spa have all received notices for illegal activity with one chance to evict their tenants.

“It's up to them. They can either evict these bad players or they can visit the Martin County Jail themselves,” Snyder said.

Deputies claim they’ve pinpointed all illicit massage parlors operating within the county, but they’re not taking any chances. If anyone believe one has been overlooked, authorities are asking them to report it immediately.

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