CRESTWOOD, Mo. (KMOX) - A lawsuit has been filed by Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt against a spa in St. Louis County alleging the business is participating in human trafficking.
The lawsuit says Crestwood Police Department have made traffic stops of three male individuals that described paying for sexual favors at the Royal Day Spa, located at 8928 Watson Road. The individuals stated that sexual activity occurred between them and a female masseuse for $60 plus a tip ranging from $20 to $40, according to a press release from Schmitt's office.
This lawsuit is the fifth filed by Schmitt as part of the Hope Initiative to combat human trafficking in illicit massage businesses. The suit alleges two counts of public nuisance and is seeking an injunction to shut Royal Day Spa down immediately.
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The spa is featured on multiple websites where users talk about their experiences at massage businesses, which are often graphic descriptions of sexual favors or activities that took place. One site describes itself as the “internet’s largest sex travel website.”
“Human trafficking is a scourge on our society - a dark underworld that traps victims and reaches to all corners of the globe, including right here in Missouri,” Schmitt stated. “Through my Office’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force and our Hope Initiative, we will continue to investigate human trafficking across the state, shut down illicit massage businesses, and work to end this scourge in Missouri.”
Other lawsuits filed by Schmitt as part of the Hope Initiative were against illicit massage businesses in Cole, Laclede, Clay, and Jackson Counties.
The lawsuit notes that Royal Day Spa has its front windows covered and that it’s open late, among other noted signs of an illicit massage business. Here are some signs of illicit massage businesses:
• Prices below market - which incentivizes the masseuse to earn tips
• Male only clientele
• Customers entering and exiting through rear or side entrances
• Business is open late at night
• Windows are blocked off so that you can’t see inside
• Doors are locked requiring customers to be “buzzed in”
• Website contains sexual innuendo or references to the appearance of the masseuse
• Online reviews describing sex acts
• The masseuse(s) appear to live on site
If you see indicators that a business is illicit, you can report that information to your local non-emergency police department phone number and the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
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