Arrests made at several Waukesha massage businesses - WISN Milwaukee

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WAUKESHA, Wis. —
A human trafficking and prostitution investigation has led to four arrests in Waukesha at three massage businesses.


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Waukesha police said they received several tips at the end of the summer about criminal sex acts occurring in the businesses. Search warrants were issued and evidence was seized by police Monday at:

-- Sweet Thai Massage, 127 W. Sunset Drive
-- Far East Healing Spa, 1405 Summit Ave.
-- Lilac Massage, 2442 N. Grandview Blvd.

Neighbors told WISN 12 News something didn't quite look right at Sweet Thai Massage.

"It just said massage at first, but then they put heavy carpeting on the door (covering the window) and left everything closed up, and it was kind of suspicious," Brian Frederick said.

Waukesha police said their investigation uncovered online ads for what they call "sensual massages" at the businesses.

"In our community, we don't welcome commercialized sex," said Sgt. Jerry Habanek. "It's like having a brothel on your street."

Police set up a sting.

"We sent in a couple of different undercover investigators over a period of time to see if they could purchase or get commercial sexual activity there, all of the investigators were able to do that, repeatedly," Habanek said. Monday they arrested four female workers on prostitution charges, ranging in age from 36 to 45.

"This is a great community and we don't need stuff like this in here. It'll bring in the riffraff and God knows what else, maybe drug dealers, and we don't need that there," said the neighbor Frederick. "They must've thought the cops were stupid," he said.

All three businesses were closed and locked-up on Wednesday. It's not clear if they'll reopen.

"We know right now they're not doing legitimate businesses practices and that's going to be an issue with the city," Habanek said.

WISN 12 News is not identifying the women arrested because they haven't been criminally charged yet.

Because the businesses are now closed, the owners were unable to be reached for comment.

Waukesha police said their investigation is ongoing.

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