Clergy tip led to massage parlor investigation - Mansfield News Journal

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Police reported they raided a massage parlor Wednesday at 1504 W. Fourth St. because of complaints of suspected prostitution and sexual-related activity at the business.(Photo: Lou Whitmire/News Journal)Buy Photo


MANSFIELD - The Tuina Studio massage parlor at 1504 W. Fourth St. had been flying under the radar until local clergy tipped off authorities in August that the business might be involved in human trafficking.

Wednesday, police raided the massage parlor following an investigation of suspected prostitution and sexual-related activity at the business.

"It was 90 minutes for $90, cash only," said Mansfield police Chief Ken Coontz.

On Aug. 29, 2016, a group of area pastors sent a letter to Coontz concerned about the business.


"This past week we had concerned citizens report about suspicious activity at the Tuina Studio, located at 1504 West Fourth Street in Mansfield. According to a report we received, there are purportedly women living at this massage business and a number of male customers that frequent this business throughout the day and night hours; allegedly Asian women are involved. In addition, high security measures exist at the location," said the ministers in the letter.

"While we are not certain human trafficking or any criminal activity is occurring at this business, we would greatly appreciate if our local law enforcement could investigate this situation," the letter said. " As 14 pastors of our community, we are calling for your assistance in helping preserve the sanctity and quality of life in Mansfield," the letter concluded.

Coontz said the business attracted male customers who trolled the internet through advertisements on websites such as Mansfield Backpage, Adultlook, Craigslist and sites including threads like USASexGuide.

Mansfield Backpage showed photographs of young Asian Girls, hoping to draw customers from towns including Mansfield, Ashland, Youngstown, Ashtabula, Fostoria, Tuscarawas County and Zanesville, according to an advertisement.

From West Fourth Street, only a small sign was posted at the business in the strip mall across from Brookwood Way North. White curtains covered the front window Wednesday night; a posted cardboard sign read, "Out of Business."

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The investigation continues into the business, which METRICH raided with assistance from Mansfield police, the local office of the FBI and Secret Service, the latter which provided a Chinese translator, Coontz said.

No arrests have been made, but METRICH and the FBI are following up to identify any possible connections to human trafficking, METRICH Commander Lt. Joe Petrycki said Wednesday.

Coontz said the Asian women working at the Tuina Studio were sleeping on the floor of the business, on folding doors positioned off the floor by small blocks of stone.

He said two girls inside the business when the investigation started were no longer here when the raid was conducted. He said it appeared to law enforcement that the owner was rotating the women in and out of the business, he added.

Women at the massage parlor were in the United States on work VISAs, Coontz said. They were not from the area. The women did not seem to know each other very well, knew almost no English and had very little money, he said..

"I feel bad that maybe we lost two girls to human trafficking," Coontz said. "We feel like human trafficking was going on."

The massage parlor had massage rooms with walls made of doors which did not go all the way to the ceiling, Coontz said.

At the time of the raid, two male customers were inside the business, the chief said. One customer was a 63-year-old Mansfield man and the other was a 55-year-old West Salem man. No charges have been filed against them.

Coontz said Kurt Stimens, the owner of the building, immediately changed the locks and immediately began the eviction process after learning of the potential criminal element alleged to be going on here.

Stimens said Thursday he believes the tenant has been at the property for about a year.

Detectives seized an assortment of potential evidence, and other businesses in the strip mall supplied information.

"We have a lot more investigation to complete on this case," he said.

The 14 pastors who signed the August letter to Coontz included Harrison Gapter, Mount Zion Lutheran; Russell Stanford, All Believers in Christ; Henry Bradley, New Community Temple COG; Jeremy Muncy, Westwood Alliance; Eric Byrom, Grace Fellowship; Randy Raynes, Fellowship Baptist; Les Vnasdale, Cornerstone Grace Brethren; El Akuchie, Richland Community Prayer Network; Jerry Laudermilk, Ontario Abundant Life; De Wayne Smith, Main Street Methodist; Willie Mack, Philippian Community Church; Clarence Sanderfer, New Life Baptist; William Jordan, Faith Temple COGIC, and Sylvester Ginn, Hesed Agape Fellowship.

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