Two arrested in Tennessee massage parlor human trafficking investigation
PN Team • 2 months ago
Two people have been arrested following a months-long investigation into prostitution and human trafficking linked to massage parlors in Columbia, Tennessee. The Columbia Police Department led the probe with support from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Human Trafficking Task Force, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the 22nd Judicial District Attorney's Office, the 22nd Judicial Drug Task Force, and the Tennessee Department of Health, as part of a broader statewide crackdown on illegal massage parlor operations.
Search warrants executed at two Columbia locations turned up evidence of illegal sexual activity, and investigators found three workers at the businesses were in the country unlawfully. Officials seized more than $104,000 during the investigation. One suspect was charged with promoting prostitution and another with prostitution; authorities say the activity appears connected to similar operations in other states and countries.
As part of the same statewide effort, additional search warrants were carried out in Cookeville, Hamilton County, Chattanooga, Kingsport, Nashville, Goodlettsville, Clarksville, and Murfreesboro.
Sources:
Sentiment
- Tennessee Tennessee is the setting for a statewide human trafficking and prostitution crackdown, which reflects negatively on the state's public safety issues though also shows law enforcement action.