In a recent fishing law enforcement operation in Polk County, Florida, the authorities uncovered violations in 12 massage parlors and arrested 21 Chinese women involved in illicit activities.
The Polk County law enforcement conducted a two-day fishing law enforcement operation on November 4th, with officers posing as customers at massage parlors. During the massages, 20 of the massage practitioners solicited customers for additional payment and offered sexual services. One of them even physically confronted an undercover officer after he refused her proposition.
Sheriff Grady Judd revealed in a press conference that all the arrested women were of Asian descent, with three being American citizens and the rest coming from China on work visas.
“I don’t think the federal government thought they were going to come here to do this type of work when they issued them work visas, but they did,” Judd said.
Judd stated that he will collaborate with the federal government to revoke the work visas of these individuals.
“If they are not U.S. citizens, we want them to go back to their own country. Even if you come here legally, but engage in illegal activities, you lose the trust of the federal government, and you should be sent back to your country,” Judd added.
He mentioned that the youngest of the arrested women is 31 years old, and the oldest is 64.
Moreover, the sheriff also warned customers of these massage parlors that they might be recorded by law enforcement activities.
“Stay away from these massage parlors,” Judd cautioned. “We will continue to monitor these locations to ensure compliance with the law.”
“If you go there… engage in this behavior without any notice, your photo may end up on the next billboard. It’s a choice, and if it’s up there, I don’t want to hear any complaints because I warned you standing here today,” Judd emphasized.
Judd further stated that most massage parlors comply with the law. He mentioned that there are now new regulations requiring massage parlors to document who receives the service and who provides the massage. However, many establishments do not keep these records, which could lead to regulatory charges.