• Multi-agency massage parlor prostitution sting in Lufkin shopping center.
  • Citizens' complaints led to the investigation and ultimately an arrest.
  • Blue Water Spa on Atkinson Drive was closed down after the action.

According to the Lufkin Police Department, a multi-agency massage parlor prostitution sting was conducted on Thursday, February 8, 2024. The Blue Water Spa at 709 Atkinson Drive Suite C and Lufkin Massage at 505 S. Timberland Drive were both hit.

City Of Lufkin
City Of Lufkin
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Complaints From Lufkin Residents Lead To Massage Parlor Sting

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Complaints from local citizens alerted authorities to the illicit activities going on at the businesses. The Texas Department of Safety, Angelina County Sheriff's Office, and the Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office all worked together to make this a successful operation.

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There were implications from the citizens' complaints that there could be sex trafficking victims at the locations. Local advocacy groups, Unbound Now and Family Crisis Center of East Texas, were on site to provide services to the possible sex trafficking victims.

Lufkin Massage Employees Were Found Living In The Business

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The City of Lufkin Code Enforcement shuttered both businesses due to city ordinances violations, according to Asst. City Manager Gerald Williamson. In addition to the illicit activities at the location, detectives discovered that Lufkin Massage employees were living at the business.

“We will be having conversations with the property owners to make sure they’re fully aware of how sinister these places are and the tragic effects they have on people who are trafficked,” Williamson said. “We in Lufkin watch for this type of activity and we never intend to allow it in our community. We will take strong enforcement action any time we see it.”

City Of Lufkin
City Of Lufkin
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The investigation will continue into these businesses and anyone with information is asked to call the Department at 936-633-0356 or Crime Stoppers at 936-639-TIPS.

Nonprofit agency Uprising shares information about human trafficking and exploitation

Gallery Credit: Kolby Fedore, Townsquare Media

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Gallery Credit: Mikael Donnovan