Three local massage establishments closed for suspected human trafficking - WOAI

[mnews]

SAN ANTONIO - Three local massage establishments have been shuddered by regulators over suspected human trafficking.

Effective Jan. 21, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has issued a six-month emergency closure order for Ping Best Foot Massage, which operates three locations across North San Antonio.

Rudy E. Lopez and Huang Ping Lopez were ordered to stop operating the passage businesses, and have been prohibited from operating a different massage establishment for six months.

TLDR received a complaint in June of 2024, alleging that sexual activity was occurring at the establishments.

During an investigation, TLDR discovered multiple illicit websites containing customer reviews of the discussed services received at the establishments.

In Nov. of 2024, SAPD officers conducted an undercover investigation at one location, which revealed one unlicensed employee providing massage services, indicators she was residing onsite, and that commercial sexual services were being performed.

This is the first TDLR emergency closure order closing multiple locations owned by the same persons since the closure orders began in Sept. of 2023.