West El Paso massage parlor accused of prostitution agrees with county to shut down - El Paso Times

[Aaron Martinez]

A West El Paso massage parlor accused of offering sexual services to customers agreed to permanently shut down as part of an agreement with the El Paso County Attorney's Office.

Eastwest Healthy Center's owner Hui Xiong entered into a settlement Monday, Feb. 3, with the county to "not to own, operate, or be financially associated with any massage establishment," El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez said. The business was located in a shopping center at 7250 N. Mesa St.

No attorneys for Xiong are listed in court records.

The settlement is "a victory for the community," Sanchez said.

"This settlement ensures that Eastwest Healthy Center will remain closed and that its owners cannot open a similar business in El Paso County," Sanchez said in a statement. "It sends a clear message that we will not tolerate businesses that violate the law and harm our residents."

More:West El Paso massage parlor shut down for allegedly offering illegal sexual activities

Eastwest Healthy Center offers sexual services to undercover police​

A judge temporarily shut down Eastwest Health Center, also known as Eastwest Healthy Center Vitamin Massage, on Jan. 23 after an investigation revealed the business "offered prostitution and sexual contact" to customers, county attorney officials said.

El Paso County Attorney’s Office's Nuisance Abatement Team, El Paso Police Department's Vice Unit and Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations investigated the massage parlor.

The investigation allegedly uncovered several illegal activities, including staff "reportedly offering to perform masturbation on customers and undercover officers from the El Paso Police Department," officials said.

The massage parlor also failed to maintain required client records and allowed employees to illegally live on-site. The business "advertised on erotic websites featuring suggestive content and scantily clad women," officials said.

Massage parlor owner agrees to close business​

The settlement was reached Monday, Feb. 3, before a court hearing scheduled the same day was set to be held to determine the future of the business.

As part of the settlement, Xiong agreed to not operate, associate, advertise, promote, own, or have a financial or managerial interest in a massage establishment in El Paso County, the settlement agreement states.

Xiong also agreed not to employ or work with unlicensed massage therapists, the agreement states. Xiong must pay a $3,000 fine within 180 days of the Feb. 3 agreement.

The owner could face fines up to $10,000 or jail time if the terms of the settlement are breached, officials said.

More:East El Paso massage parlor shut down over allegations of providing sexual services

The landlords of the property, KM Colony Cove III LLC, were originally named as co-defendants in the case, but the case against them is being dismissed since they "cooperated with authorities by evicting the business," and agreed not to lease the property to a massage establishment for at least two years, officials said.

Aaron Martinez covers the criminal justice system for the El Paso Times. He may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on X/Twitter @AMartinezEPT.