Police Bust Massage Parlors for Sex for a Fee

Story Updated 8:29PM Thursday, April 5, 2012

– Allison Goldsberry

Medford police have arrested two women alleged to be conducting illegal sexual acts at local massage parlors.

Baojuan Shi, 49, of New York (left), and Simone Santos, 39, of Malden (right) were arrested on Thursday and charged with one count each of sexual conduct for a fee, according to information released by Medford police. The women and two other individuals were also cited for not being properly licensed as massage therapists.

Police made the arrests at Mixue Spa, located at 397 Main Street in Medford, and Lavish Spa, located at unit 34B of 407 Mystic Avenue. Police say they received “numerous complaints” from Medford residents of illegal sex acts taking place at the businesses so they sent undercover officers to investigate.

“As a result of our operations, we were able to establish probable cause to affect the arrest of two employees of two different businesses,” said a statement issued by Medford Police Lieutenant Paul Covino.

Medford Police were assisted by the state Division of Professional Licensure and US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. The licensure department will further investigate the owners of the businesses, according to police. Immigration officials also determined that Santos and another woman working at Lavish Spa are in the country illegally.

Medford police say they will continue to pursue any leads on alleged illegal activities taking place at local massage parlors.

“The Medford Police consider this operation a success, and we will continue until those businesses that allow illegal activities on their premises are fully compliant with the law or they leave Medford,” said a police statement.