Massage Experts in Pickerington investigated for human trafficking - The Columbus Dispatch

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Authorities conducted multiple searches Tuesday morning at Massage Experts after an investigation led them to suspect the Pickerington massage parlor was an illegal front for human trafficking, prostitution and money laundering, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Tuesday.


The Central Ohio Human Trafficking Force, Pickerington Police Department, Fairfield County Sheriff's Office and the Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation conducted the searches simultaneously.

The investigators removed "a large amount of evidence" from the scene, said Pickerington police Chief Tod Cheney. Evidence have been sent to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation for examination. No charges have been filed yet, but multiple people were taken into custody. They've since been released.

In the coming days, the Pickerington Police Department will consult the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office to consider charges, Cheney said.


The parlor's massage establishment license has been revoked by Pickerington city manager Greg Butcher.

The warrants come after an eight-month investigation, according to a Pickerington Police Department Facebook post.


"There was nobody under the age of 18 that has been involved at this point," Cheney said. "We don't suspect that's the case. It's all adults."

In addition to the massage parlor, 1234 Hill Road N., detectives also investigated a private home in Pickerington.


The State of Ohio Medical Board, Homeland Security Investigations and the city of Pickerington Zoning Development are among the groups assisting investigation efforts.

The Ohio Attorney General's Office asks anyone with information about the investigation or the business to call Pickerington Police at 614-575-6911.

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@JackNimesheim


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