Update: Police shut down Chambersburg massage parlor suspected of prostitution; woman...

[massage]

Amber South Chambersburg Public Opinion

Published 4:04 PM EST Jan 29, 2019


One person has been charged after police shut down a Chambersburg massage parlor Tuesday morning for its alleged involvement in prostitution.

Borough police executed a search warrant shortly after 10 a.m. at Asian Massage, 58 Lincoln Way West. By 11:15 a.m., a utility crew was removing the overhanging street sign.

Chang Hong Zhao, 52, was charged with promoting prostitution and related charges, according to Chambersburg Police Department.

Police began investigating the business a couple months ago after receiving several complaints regarding potential prostitution there, Chambersburg Police Sgt. Jon Greenawalt told Public Opinion at the scene just west of Memorial Square.

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"We initiated a criminal investigation into the matter utilizing sources that became known to us and undercover law enforcement to confirm that prostitution was in fact occurring here," he said.

Zhao was at the business at the time of the search, but it does not appear she is the owner, Greenawalt said.

The investigation is ongoing and other individuals will likely be charged in the future, police said.

That includes clients of the massage parlor. Greenawalt said police have learned of several people who "frequent" the business, and authorities seized records which may identify others.

"I think this sends a clear message to residents and citizens of Chambersburg that we're not gonna tolerate vice activity in our borough," Greenawalt said. "We will take swift action when those incidents do in fact occur. Let this be a warning to all those others who would engage in vice - prostitution in this case - we're watching you. Were paying attention to you. We'll shut you down."

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Authorities are also investigating the business for human trafficking, Greenawalt said. Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities were on the scene interviewing the woman at the business about her status in the country, he said

The Pennsylvania Department of State's licensing arm also found regulatory violations, he said. Pennsylvania requires practicing massage therapists to be licensed, but Asian Massage is not listed in the Pennsylvania Licensing System Verification service database.

Prostitution is seen every now and then in the borough, Greenawalt said. He added that Asian Massage was the first massage parlor shut down for suspected prostitution in the borough since he joined the force 19 years ago.

Online, Asian Massage can be found under the name, The Spa Asian Massage. It's website lists just four services: a Swedish "deep tissu (sic)" massage at three time spans, and foot reflexology.

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