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Police raid 13 Springfield spas in human trafficking crackdown

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A multiagency crackdown served search warrants July 20 at 13 Springfield Asian massage parlor businesses suspected of human trafficking and prostitution. 

The raids were quickly followed with emergency action from Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley and the Greene County prosecuting attorney’s office who filed suit in Greene County Circuit Court against 16 defendants, according to a news release. 

“Today’s raids make good on my promise: If you come to Missouri to conduct human trafficking, we will find you out and we will shut you down,” Hawley said in the release.

In a joint investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Springfield Police Department, search warrants were based on probable cause following thousands of hours of investigation. The moves are part of a broader effort involving associated investigations and search warrants in Alabama, Arkansas and Louisiana, according to a news release from the Greene County prosecutor’s office. 

Search warrants were served at the following Springfield businesses:

• Angel Massage, Star Plaza, 1774 1/2 S. Grant Ave. 
• Asian Massage, Northeast Plaza, 2005 E. Kearney St. 
• Shui Massage and Spa, 520 W. University St., Ste. E 
• Chi Spa, 2971 E. Chestnut Expressway 
• Golden Massage, 4728 S. Campbell Ave, Ste. 112 
• Lotus Spa, Sunshine Corners, 220 W. Sunshine St. 
• Massage Best Spa, 1550 E. Battlefield Road, Ste. N2 
• an unnamed business at 2841 S. Fremont Ave. 
• Palm Spa, Imperial Plaza, 2902 S. Campbell Ave., Ste. E 
• Peace Massage, 3029 E. Sunshine St. 
• Phoenix Massage, 1261 E. Republic Road
• Relax Spa Silver Center, 2022 S. Stewart St.
• Sunshine Spa, Plaza Towers Center, 1925 S. Glenstone Ave.

Many of the identified spas advertised on known sex trade websites BackPage.com and RubMaps.com, specifically for massages provided by young Asian females.

In April, Hawley announced a crackdown on human trafficking, including new regulations under Missouri’s consumer protection laws and the creation of an anti-trafficking unit. 

According to the release, Missouri is the first state in the nation to use consumer protection laws to combat human trafficking, and the unit currently is investigating other businesses with alleged involvement, including BackPage.com.
 
“We cannot allow human traffickers to pose as legitimate businesses in our community,” said Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson, in the release. “Greene County will not tolerate human trafficking activity.”

Patterson also appointed a special assistant Greene County prosecuting attorney to further facilitate that unified effort.

The search warrants are part of an ongoing investigation and copies are not yet available. The warrants will become public record once warrant returns have been filed by the investigating agencies with the court, according to the news release.

Information about this investigation or other instances of suspected human trafficking can be reported to local law enforcement through the Missouri State Highway Patrol at (417) 895-6868 or the Springfield Police Department at (417) 864-1810. Anonymous tips can be left through Crime Stoppers at (417) 869-8477.

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