Prostitution and money laundering suspected
KINGMAN – A citizen complaint sparked a Kingman Police Department (KPD) investigation of suspected prostitution and money laundering activity related to alleged illegal massage parlor enterprises operating in Kingman. Officers seized cash, notes and ledgers and other possible evidence during Dec. 7 searches of five businesses and a home.
A worried wife tipped off police in a July 16 letter.
“The complainant stated that her husband has been frequenting Healthy Spa and he admitted to having sex with the owner identified as MIMI and other girls employed there,” the letter stated, according to court records. “The complainant also stated that her husband stated they gave him marijuana also.”
KPD detective Jason Huerta spearheaded the investigation that included customer reviews of services rendered at the local enterprises posted to the “Rubmaps” website.
“It was such a great feeling and I’m very glad Lily was able to take care of me,” said one testimonial offered March 15, 2018 by a customer who self-identified as “DaWinner”.
Huerta’s affidavit of probable cause for the searches revealed that surveillance operations led to numerous “John Stops”. Those involve traffic stops of customers leaving the business who subsequently admitted paying for sex acts performed during massage parlor visits.
The Court records indicate that most of the alleged activity was masturbatory in nature, though there were testimonials involving other conduct as well.
A Kingman police officer who visited several of the businesses said he was propositioned for sex while receiving massages.
None of the identified proprietors or participants of the alleged illegal enterprises have been charged or arrested. Prosecution determinations will come through case review by the Mohave County Attorney’s Office. The properties that were searched include:
• Healthy Spa, 2600 block of Stockton Hill Road
• Cherry Blossom Spa, 100 block of Tucker Street
• Sunflower Massage, 4300 block of Stockton Hill Road
• Healthy Foot Spa, 4000 block of Stockton Hill Road
• Chinese Massage, 2400 block of Kingman Avenue
• Private residence, 600 block of Carlton Street
Dave Hawkins
