Lower Valley massage parlor shut down after allegations of illegal sex activity, human trafficking

An El Paso judge ordered a Lower Valley massage parlor closed Tuesday after authorities alleged a pattern of illegal sexual activity and potential human trafficking at the facility over the past year.

Judge Sergio Enriquez issued the order shutting down YoYo Body Works at 800 N. Zaragoza Road effective immediately.

During a months-long investigation by police vice officers and state inspectors, El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal said authorities “documented prevalent and repeated violations at the establishment, including employment of unlicensed therapists, massage therapists dressed in a sexually provocative manner, and possibly people living on the premises.”

“The establishment, whose customer base was almost completely male, advertised on websites that are considered erotic in nature, offering “beautiful Asian girls” with pictures of very young Asian females dressed in a style to induce arousal,” Bernal alleged, adding that she was “concerned that human trafficking occurs.”

The owner of the massage parlor was not immediately available to comment. A sign posted at the business on Tuesday indicated it was closed by court order.

The judge set a hearing for Oct. 18 to determine the future of the massage parlor.

KVIA 2019