Title: Undercover Investigation Reveals Ongoing Illegal Activities at Local Massage Businesses
Subtitle: Despite Calls for Regulation, Shocking Case of Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking Exposed
Date: [Insert Date]
In a shocking undercover investigation conducted four years ago, 4 Investigates uncovered a disturbing secret flourishing behind the closed doors of several local massage businesses. The investigation revealed evidence of sexual favors being offered by the workers and exposed signs of human trafficking. Calls for better regulation and legal changes were made at the time, but unfortunately, the state remains no closer to exposing the true extent of this hidden problem.
Mark Probasco, the Deputy Director of Prosecution at the Attorney General’s Office, expressed his concerns, stating, “If there’s no way to get to the other side of the door or if we’ve created obstacles to get into the other side of the door, we’re never going to know the full scope of this problem.”
Since the initial investigation, the list of victims has only grown longer, with shocking new incidents coming to light. One such incident occurred at the Oriental Health Spa in Albuquerque. A woman, who chose to remain anonymous due to the traumatic experience, visited the spa based on a friend’s recommendation and positive online reviews. However, her visit took a dark turn as she found herself subjected to sexual assault during what should have been a simple full-body massage.
The victim recalls feeling uneasy right from the start, and her gut feeling proved true as the masseur engaged in inappropriate behavior. She reported the incident to the Albuquerque Police Department, where she discovered that another woman had suffered a similar ordeal at the hands of the same masseur, identified as Xuebin Dong, who often went by the name “Peter.” An arrest warrant has since been issued for Dong on charges of criminal sexual penetration and criminal sexual contact.
Albuquerque police had previously investigated similar cases of sexual assault reported by female customers in 2018, 2020, and 2021. However, none of these cases resulted in successful prosecutions, with various obstacles hindering progress, such as victims not returning calls or the inability to identify suspects. This lack of action has raised concerns about the public safety and health implications of unregulated massage businesses.
Mark Probasco, who works at the Attorney General’s Office, highlighted the urgent need for stricter regulation in the massage therapy industry. While individual massage therapists must be licensed, the establishments themselves currently do not require the same approval. This lack of oversight creates significant enforcement challenges, allowing unlicensed individuals like Xuebin Dong to operate unchecked.
Efforts to address this issue resulted in a new law, effective July 1 of this year, that imposes hefty fines up to $10,000 for individuals operating without a license. However, further changes to state laws are necessary to crack down on unregulated businesses.
State regulators acknowledge that enforcement remains a major obstacle due to inadequate laws. In 2020, lawmakers attempted to introduce the necessary changes but were ultimately unsuccessful. As a result, what transpires within the walls of these massage establishments remains a mystery.
The victim we spoke to hopes that her story will encourage others to come forward, despite the shame and stigma associated with such experiences. She expressed her desire to see the Oriental Health Spa shut down and hopes that her ordeal will result in meaningful changes within the industry.
Despite attempts to contact Oriental Health Spa, the business provided a statement regarding their setup but stopped responding when questioned about worker licensing.
To protect oneself and combat this issue, individuals are urged to file complaints with the Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD) against unlicensed practitioners. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that your massage therapist is licensed before scheduling a visit to any establishment.
This ongoing investigation sheds light on the urgent need for comprehensive regulation in the massage therapy industry. The safety and well-being of individuals seeking relaxation and therapeutic services must be a priority, with strict oversight implemented to prevent further incidents of sexual assault and human trafficking within these businesses.