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More massage parlors in Roswell shut down by city for operating without licenses

By and FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team
Updated  March 19, 2024 10:46pm EDT
Roswell
FOX 5 Atlanta

Roswell massage parlors crackdown

Roswell continues to crack down on massage parlors operating illegally. Nine establishments were shut down Monday. This is in addition to seven that were already closed a couple of months ago.

ROSWELL, Ga. - The City of Roswell has taken action to close down 9 additional massage establishments, bringing the total closures for the year to 16, according to Roswell Police Department. This move is part of an ongoing effort by city officials to ensure legitimacy and compliance within the local business community.

Bright orange "stop work" notices were hung on nine businesses.

"It's to let the employees and customers know this business cannot open and cannot operate," said Roswell Police Chief James Conroy.

PREVIOUS STORY: Roswell mayor leads crackdown on illegal massage parlors

During a targeted enforcement operation on March 18, the following establishments were found to be operating without the necessary licenses and were shut down:

  • Care Therapeutic Health Services LLC, 282 Rucker Road, Suite 90
  • Ease Massage, 1085 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite 140
  • Lilly Massage, 10479 Alpharetta Hwy., Suite 8
  • M Massage, 900 Mansell Road, Suite 16
  • Woori Massage, 1072 Alpharetta St.
  • Yun Massage, 11230 Alpharetta Hwy., Suite 112
  • Spa Amore, 11285 Elkins Road, Suite J2
  • Heavenly Foot Massage, 11680 Alpharetta Hwy., Suite 200
  • Amethyst Enterprises, 770 Old Roswell Road, Suite H500

"Come down, get a license and operate appropriately," said Chief Conroy. 

Additionally, 15 businesses were inspected for compliance with City Ordinance with 6 citations being issued for violations.

About a year-and-a-half ago, the city started taking a closer look at the more than 160 massage parlors in the city. Undercover operations led to dark secrets behind the bright facades. 

"We did 10 simultaneous search warrants and started making arrests. Since then, we've charged over 70 people with either human trafficking, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, RICO," said Chief Conroy.

Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson emphasized the city's commitment to eradicating illicit activities in massage parlors and combating human trafficking. "The safety and protection of our residents is a solemn duty," said Mayor Wilson. "To me, there is no more important compact for a City with its residents than the compact of public safety and protecting those who cannot defend themselves."

"Putting a flag in the ground, this is not welcome and we're going to run it out of the city limits," said Roswell City Councilman Will Morthland. 

The Roswell Police Department says it will continue to conduct regular compliance checks in the coming days and weeks. Police Chief James Conroy stated, "We are committed to ensuring that the overwhelming majority of legitimate businesses in the City of Roswell are able to operate unencumbered. We are equally committed, however, to taking intentional enforcement action against those businesses willfully operating illegally or engaging in illicit activity."

"If you're doing the wrong things in the city of Roswell, it's time to go," said Morthland.

All massage establishments in Roswell are required to possess a current and valid massage establishment license, along with a business license. Businesses operating without meeting these requirements are urged to immediately cease operations and apply for the necessary licenses at the Roswell Police Department, located at 39 Hill St., Roswell, GA 30075, during regular business hours.