A Rock Springs massage parlor was served a search warrant on Tuesday afternoon as part of a months-long human trafficking investigation. “Earlier this year, we began investigating the alleged performance of sexual acts at an Asian massage parlor in the 600 block of Broadway in Rock Springs,” shares Sweetwater County Sheriff’’s Office spokesperson Jason Mower. “We believe the masseuses and others working there are trafficking victims forced or otherwise coerced to perform labor, including sex acts, as part of a larger network of organized criminal enterprise possibly operating throughout the region.” Lead detective on the case, Lieutenant Michelle Hall, says, “Illicit massage parlors are often hidden in plain sight, putting on a facade of legitimacy to conceal their criminal activity and avoid detection by law enforcement. This is a known issue and growing trend. These businesses operate in every state nationwide. Unfortunately, many of those engaged in commercial sex as part of these types of operations are actually labor and sex trafficking victims.” Tuesday’s operation was a cooperative effort among the sheriff’s office, Rock Springs Police Department, and local FBI and HSI agents. The YWCA of Sweetwater County and the Asian Pacific Development Center of Aurora, Colorado, were also thanked for their support in providing services to assist trafficking victims as part of Tuesday’s operation.
