Massage parlor in West El Paso closed amid illegal activity allegations - KFOX El Paso

[mnews]

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — A massage parlor in West El Paso has been temporarily shuttered by a court order following an investigation into alleged illegal activities, including prostitution and unlicensed massage practices.

The closure comes after the El Paso County Attorney’s Office filed a lawsuit seeking injunctive relief.

Eastwest Healthy Center Vitamin Massage, located at 7250 N. Mesa St., Suite A, was closed on Friday under a court order signed by 384th District Court Judge Patrick M. Garcia.

The lawsuit names several defendants, including the business itself, its owner Hui Xiong, and KM Colony Cove III LLC, the building's owner. The property is also listed as a defendant.

Court documents allege that the business engaged in prostitution, with employees reportedly offering sexual services to customers and undercover officers.

Investigators claim the establishment employed unlicensed massage therapists and allowed unlicensed individuals to perform massages.

The lawsuit, filed by the County Attorney’s Office Nuisance Abatement Team, also accuses the business of failing to maintain required client records and allowing employees to live on-site illegally. Additionally, it alleges the business advertised on erotic websites featuring suggestive content.

The court order prohibits the defendants from operating a massage business, performing massages, or advertising massage services at the location. It also mandates the preservation of all business-related records dating back to January 1, 2022.

County Attorney Christina Sanchez said the closure was necessary to protect the community.

This lawsuit is a direct result of concerns raised by residents about illegal activities in their neighborhoods,” Sanchez said. “We will not tolerate businesses that violate the law and jeopardize the safety and well-being of our community.

The business will remain closed until at least February 6, 2025, pending a court hearing scheduled for February 3, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. in the 384th District Court. The hearing will determine whether the temporary restraining order will be extended as a temporary injunction while the case proceeds.

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