State shuts down 2 Amarillo massage establishments for 'suspected human trafficking' - KVII

[Jamie Burch, ABC 7 News]

AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — The state shut down eight massage establishments -- including two in Amarillo -- for "suspected human trafficking."

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation issued a six-month emergency closure order -- effective May 19 -- for the Family Reflexology locations at 5807 S.W. 45th and 2605 Wolfin Ave.

TDLR said it found "activities consistent with human trafficking" at each of the eight establishments.

According to TDLR, its investigation revealed a range of violations including employees living at some of the businesses, a lack of required client consultation documents, and illicit advertisements connected to the establishments that offered sexual services.

Several employees identified themselves with out of state identification, admitted to being at the establishment for temporary work, and admitted to providing massage services without a massage therapist license.

Investigators determined all eight massage establishments are owned by three people: Ruiying Lian, Hongcui Hao, and Tianli Wang.

The establishments are:

• Family Reflexology, 5807 S.W. 45th, Ste. 345, Amarillo
• Family Reflexology, 2605 Wolfin Ave, Amarillo
• Julie’s Massage, 1106 Spell Ave., Cleburne
• Tongfuxin LLC d/b/a A Pattaya Massage, 725 Hill Country Dr., Kerrville
• Best Foot Spa, 7412 S. University Ave., Ste. 2, Lubbock
• Sunny Massage, 2814 W. Wall St., Midland
• Pattaya Foot Reflexology, 1359 W. University Blvd., Ste. C, Odessa
• Thai Massage, 2803 Andrews Hwy., Odessa

In addition to indicators of human trafficking at Family Reflexology on SW 45th Avenue in Amarillo, a woman filed a complaint with TDLR in 2023 claiming a male massage therapist inappropriately touched her during a massage.

Anyone who suspects human trafficking is occurring can contact the National Hotline for Human Trafficking at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733).