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3 Massage Parlors Busted for ProstitutionOperation Cross Country nets 23 arrests for prostitution in Anchorage streets, hotels and massage parlorsRelated Content
Original article posted Nov. 11, 2011 Updated version: Corrects and clarifies information police initially released. ANCHORAGE, Alaska-Three Anchorage massage parlors have been busted as prostitution fronts after a three-day joint sting by Anchorage police and the FBI. The operation, which included undercover work in the massage parlors, on the streets and in hotels, yielded 23 arrests.
Eleven women face charges for practicing prostitution and 12 men for soliciting prostitution, including one person who also faces a charge for harassment.
Last Thursday, authorities searched Tropic Massage, a massage parlor on Tudor Road, where a woman was arrested and more than $4,000 was seized.
The next day, authorities searched Tao Massage on Dimond Boulevard where they arrested another woman and more than $3,800 in cash was seized, as well as cocaine.
On Saturday, authorities headed over to Debarr Road, where they busted Best Chinese Massage, arresting another woman and seizing more than $1,700 in cash.
But police say even after the arrests the massage parlors are back open for business.
"It's a misdemeanor arrest and often times you'll get the owner of the business saying, 'I had no idea that was going on. I just hired somebody to give a massage.' It's kind of a revolving door and we're working to address that because our ultimate goal is not just to rescue kids, but to make it harder for sex traffickers to make their living off of the sexual exploitation of women," said Sgt. Kathy Lacey of the Anchorage Police Department.
This latest sting is part of a nationwide initiative called "Operation Cross Country," sponsored by the FBI, which aims to rescue young girls from sex trafficking.
During the operation, which included undercover work at hotels and on the streets, Anchorage police and the FBI together arrested 23 people, including the three women who were arrested at the massage parlors.
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Yo Mamma said on Friday, Jan 4 at 1:15 PM
Lol I love the comment about busting all the smack dealers in Mt View, I wonder if people know that the majority of the drugs are "cooked" up on hill side, and distributed in Mt. View... Gotta love stereotypical comments, people running thier mouths about things they know nothing about.
110604366Jake said on Thursday, May 31 at 3:10 PM
Hey it looks like someone didnt get there pay off!
92397946Anonymous said on Sunday, Mar 11 at 1:49 AM
the FBI was there to make sure the cops arrested the girls and not do them...take one for the boys now!!!
83853416Justice said on Sunday, Feb 12 at 12:06 PM
Aren't these parlors owned by politicians?They will be back under another business name.Can't fight city hall......
81272917ak_hermit said on Friday, Feb 10 at 2:01 PM
No, it is now up to two six packs to help offset the deficit.
81193217THATS A MANS MENTALITY said on Friday, Dec 30 at 10:32 AM
Pack of beer, free sex, unwanted pregancy, disease,welfare,food stamps. You guys are the ones that make American so great!Perverts and pigs.
79155138anonymous said on Monday, Oct 10 at 7:16 AM
To all of those that feel this issue is a joke and simply a waste of time and money: educate yourselves before you open your mouth. And, if you know of crack houses operating, here's a thought, do the right thing and turn them in. Good job to the police for their hard work in getting these people off the streets and out of our profession.
75055582Hmmm said on Wednesday, Jun 29 at 7:53 PM
Yeah that was a bit uncalled for I suppose. I'm sure they are all doing their jobs...while busting massage parlors.
69911572Hmmm said on Wednesday, Jun 29 at 2:41 AM
One ends up paying for it anyway, one way or another. FBI? Really? Shouldn't they be protecting us from Manchurian candidates and foreigners or something more pressing? Or are g-bots just enforcing Sharia Law?
69851937JakeAlaska said on Monday, Jun 27 at 1:40 AM
No kidding!! Freaking wasting tax dollars on this!! Im thinking it's just another excuse too waste tax dollars, you all know they enjoyed this sting!! When hard drugs and weapons should be the spotlight in the APD's sight!! So goofy!!
69718182Mustapha Muhammed Hussein II said on Tuesday, May 24 at 9:22 PM
How many APD officers are regular custmers of the massage parlors/street ladies that were busted? Maybe that was what they meant when they said that lots of officers have sex while on duty, but it's all consensual hmmmmm something to think about.
67682847Bill the massage parlor owner said on Monday, May 9 at 4:04 AM
How about using these police resources to find all the idiots who are cooking smack on Mountain View, and shooting at random cars passing by instead of busting girls trying to make a living.
66708302Givemeabreak said on Sunday, May 8 at 11:21 PM
Really? The cash they took was the cash that the enslaved girl had made over the past few days! It's an easy bust for them and fun for them to pose as johns. Go bust some crack houses instead.
66704479Angela said on Saturday, May 7 at 4:15 PM
Sell, there's a drop in the ocean. These three must have been doing a lot more than prositution for APD or any other law enforcement in Alaska to make an exampe out of them. That's exactly the problem in Alaska, far too many crimes are listed as nothing more than low level misdeneanors. Like it being only a misdeneanor for/when professionals such a doctors, teachers, therapists etc NOT to report "known or suspected abuse" rarely does anyone feel like they'll suffer even when caught at breaking such token laws. Yet, the consequences are vast to society at large. Even worse so for many particular families.
66661208john said on Saturday, Apr 9 at 1:57 PM
come on legalize it, quit screwing around with my girlfriends.
64557894Anonymous said on Saturday, Mar 26 at 9:53 AM
You mean men actually pay for it. I thought all that was needed was a six pack of beer.
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