Crime & Safety
Police Shut Down 8 Businesses, Claim They Were Brothels Posing as Spas
Four spas in Gaithersburg were shut down
Police closed two Rockville businesses they claim were brothels posing as spas, part of an ongoing investigation of alleged prostitution and human trafficking.
The investigation was spurred in October after police noticed an uptick in the number of spa ads online and after residents started complaining. Police said in a news release Tuesday that at least eight businesses across the county were shut down:
- Traditional Wellness – 9867 Main Street in Damascus
- Green Apple Massage – 350C Christopher Ave. in Gaithersburg
- Sunshine Day Spa – 615 S. Frederick Ave., Unit B5 in Gaithersburg
- Soothing Care Spa – 849C Quince Orchard Boulevard in Gaithersburg
- Massage Spring Spa – 11630 Rockville Pike in Rockville
- Best Spa – 11625 Nebel St. in Rockville
- Massage Center – 589 West Deer Park Road in Gaithersburg
- LA Nails – 4928 St. Elmo Ave. in Bethesda
Police said several people received a court summons and others may face civil charges in connection to the alleged incidents.
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Last year, Montgomery County police department’s vice squad conducted a similar investigation that shut down six businesses and led to the arrest of four Rockville business owners.
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