BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont Police, with assistance from multiple other agencies including Homeland Security, are investigating an area spa following allegations of human trafficking.
Officials with Homeland Security and the Beaumont Code Enforcement helped the Beaumont Police Department conduct a human trafficking investigation and business compliance check at the 99 Spa on Thursday, October 13, 2022.
An anti-trafficking specialist with the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation also helped with the investigation.
The spa is located at 360 South Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway.
The investigation came after numerous complaints and allegations of prostitution, trafficking, and drug use at the spa.
“No one in the business met the criteria a license massage business,” Beaumont Police Officer Carol Riley said. “In order to provide those services, you have to have certain city and state licensing."
Police found two women who were living and working inside the business without a license. Investigators also found evidence that suggested sexual acts were happening inside the spa.
“There were Asian females located in the business,” Riley said. “They did appear to live on the property, and there was evidence that there were crimes being committed there possible sexual related.”
Following the raid, the spa was closed and both women were asked to leave the property.
Dani Holmes works with Harvest House, where they specialize in helping women in these situation. Holmes said they are ready to help.
"We don't want people to have barriers to access help,” Holmes said. “That's one of the things traffickers try to do is say, ‘Well, nobody's going to help you because of whatever reason,’ but there are organizations to help meet those immediate needs.”
Holmes believes that by shutting the doors of places like 99 Spa, officials are that much closer to making sure human trafficking is no longer an issue in Southeast Texas.
“Law enforcement was able to get involved and shut it down, and that is great,” Holmes said. “We are so thrilled.”
Officer Riley encourages anyone who goes to a spa to look for proper licenses, proper sign protocols and multiple payment methods.
"If you see something that just doesn’t look right, or you feel like someone is being exploited, we want you to tell us, and we will look into it to see if it's a legitimate bad situation for somebody,” Officer Riley said.
This investigation is still ongoing. This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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From a Beaumont Police Department release:
On Thursday, October 13, 2022 shortly after noon, Beaumont Police Department, assisted by Beaumont Code Enforcement, Beaumont Fire Marshal's Office, Homeland Security and an Anti-Trafficking Specialist with TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation), conducted a business compliance check and a human trafficking investigation at 360 S. MLK, 99 SPA. The investigation was prompted by numerous complaints and allegations of prostitution, trafficking and narcotics at the location. Officers located two Asian females that were living and working inside the business without a license. Investigators located evidence indicating sexual acts were taking place inside the business. Both workers were made to leave the premises by TDLR and the business was subsequently closed. This investigation is still on-going.
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