More Than 100 Officers Raid Metro Atlanta Massage Businesses in Trafficking Crackdown
A multi-agency operation across Fayette and Fulton counties hit four massage businesses and six homes, leading to six arrests, $3 million in seized assets and nine potential trafficking victims identified.
By Jayden Sweiler ·
More than 100 local, state and federal officers carried out simultaneous raids on four massage businesses and six residences across Fayette and Fulton counties, in an effort to break up what authorities describe as a major human trafficking enterprise.
Investigators said the targets were tied to an alleged criminal ring operating in the metro Atlanta area. The commercial locations included Oak and Stone Massage in Peachtree City, which police said offered illegal sexual services even though it operated alongside legitimate storefronts. Officers also raided Serene Spa and Healing Massage in Tyrone, and IV Massage in Atlanta.
The operation resulted in the arrest of six people described as top leaders of the organization. Authorities also seized $3 million in assets and identified nine potential human trafficking victims.
Body camera footage released by the Peachtree City Police Department offers a look inside the command center during the operation. The video shows the raids unfolding at the same time on live monitor screens, with District Attorney Michael Rogers and Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Ellington watching as they happened. Officials said the central aim of the multi-agency effort was to cripple the enterprise and permanently keep it from returning.
The District Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case against the six arrested leaders.
Police also had a warning for customers. Anyone who paid for sex at Oak and Stone, Serene Spa, Healing Massage or IV Massage could face criminal charges, they said, as investigators continue reviewing evidence. Authorities indicated that a second wave of arrests is possible and that investigators may contact individuals directly.
Several questions remain unanswered. Authorities have not released the identities of all customers who may have visited the establishments over the past six months, nor have they said what formal charges those customers might face. Police have also not confirmed whether additional warrants or property seizures will follow as the investigation moves forward.
The information about the operation came from the Peachtree City Police Department, which supplied the body camera footage and details of the joint response, as well as court officials from the District Attorney's Office who were present during the raids.
Source: FOX 5 Atlanta
