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Police investigate suspected prostitution at North Texas mall
COLLIN COUNTY – Photos obtained by Plano Police show dormitory-like rooms with multiple beds where the young women appear to be living inside the Red Rose Spa.
It operates in a tucked-away corner of the Pittman Creek Shopping Center in West Plano, next to a residential neighborhood and directly across the parking lot from the hair salon where QiQi Lawson works.
“A lot of times I'm afraid to go out on my own,” Lawson said.
Lawson suspected prostitution was taking place inside the bathroom, and Plano Police have confirmed this with two recent arrests by undercover officers.
“When our detectives go to that place, it's very clear that it's more than just massages,” said Plano Police Chief Ed Drain.
Drain has taken on the city's sex-solicited spas and massage parlors by going after the owners and suing them for violating the state's occupational code.
It has already led to the closure of one and the Red Rose Spa is the latest to be served, where there is real concern about the age of the women working there.
“When you look at their ads, they're very young-looking girls advertising for massages and wearing skimpy clothing,” Drain said.
This week's lawsuit accuses the spa of “…failing to employ only licensed massage therapy providers” and orders the spa's owners to submit documents proving otherwise or face fines and closure.
The court affidavit also revealed that during one of the prostitution arrests “…a well-known local attorney (who admitted to being a repeat customer at the establishment), was discovered lying on a table” without clothes.
Police also found ads and reviews of the spa on popular dating websites.
CBS News Texas went inside the salon where an employee showed us a room and insisted the business was operating legally, but declined an interview or to answer our questions.
Police say living conditions inside suggest some of the women who work here may be victims of human trafficking.
“That could be an indication that these women are traveling here from other countries where they don't have a permanent residence here, and that's also concerning,” Drain said.
Lawson welcomes police action that may change her mind about moving to another salon.
“I'm glad … because I wanted to leave,” Lawson said. “It was getting unsafe and my anxiety levels were rising.”
