Hesperia staff says Magic Hands Massage ‘likely a house of prostitution’ - VVdailypress.com

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HESPERIA — On Tuesday, elected officials here will mull revoking the business license for Magic Hands Massage, which city staff described as "likely a house of prostitution" in a report.

During its 6:30 p.m. meeting, the Hesperia City Council will review an appeal from the massage parlor’s owner, Keith Roberts, and vote on the status of the shop’s business license, which was revoked "to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public," the staff report said.

Code Enforcement has inspected the massage parlor on Mariposa Road near Oakwood Avenue three times, on Jan. 14, 17 and 27.

During those visits, Code Enforcement observed Magic Hands employees in revealing outfits, a male customer who ran and hid and a woman who repeatedly asked an officer out for lunch or coffee while calling the officer "honey," according to the report.

Moreover, Code Enforcement discovered that no California Massage Therapy Council-certified massage technician was working on Jan. 14. During the final inspection, one employee had a CAMTC license, but no business license, the report said.

The CAMTC is a state agency that mandates all massage businesses have a working CAMTC-certified massage technician or therapist in order to be open. Additionally, in order to operate legally, individual business licenses are required, even when the owner has one, according to the report.

City staff said Magic Hands was cited for various violations during all three inspections.

In an appeal dated Feb. 10, Roberts said "no staff members were providing massage service" during the inspections of Jan. 14 and 17.

City staff said they believed the comments made by Roberts, who was not at Magic Hands during the inspections, were true "in a fashion."

"Based on the wardrobe of the employees, lingerie, buttocks showing, short robes, and the fact that the male customer ran from Code Enforcement, staff suspects that Magic Hands ... employees were likely providing sexual acts," the report said.

An attempt to reach Roberts via a phone number listed on the appeal was unsuccessful Monday.

On Jan. 14, a Code Enforcement officer inspected Magic Hands Massage and found an employee wearing a mini shirt that showed her buttocks. City staff later told the Daily Press the woman wore "no pants at all."

When asked if the business was open for massage, the woman told the officer yes, according to the report.

During the Jan. 17 inspection, a Code Enforcement officer observed an adult female wearing lingerie, putting on a "short robe" and running out the establishment’s back exit into the alleyway, the report said. Code Enforcement document the incident with "photographic evidence."

The same inspection also revealed the aforementioned male customer, who city staff said the Code Enforcement officer saw running to a back room.

None of the employees, or the customer, came out of the rooms or spoke to Code Enforcement, which then turned the case over to Development Services Department to review for revocation, according to the report.

On Jan. 27, the report said Magic Hangs employees were seen in short skirts and dresses by a Code Enforcement officer. They allegedly put coats on when the officer entered the business.

Development Services revoked Magic Hands’ business license after reviewing the evidence.

"The massage community is rife with these types of situations," the report said. "One of the main goals of the (CAMTC) is to regulate these businesses to try to reduce this type of activity."

Magic Hands is allowed to remain open during the appeal process, city staff said in an email to the Daily Press on Monday.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council will also discuss the following agenda items:

The review of fines for littering and illegal fireworks currently levied in Hesperia for those breaking the law. Fines for littering are $100, $200 and $500 for the first, second and third offenses, respectively. Fines for use of illegal fireworks range from $500 to $1,250.

An amendment to an agreement with NBS Government Finance Group for an additional $36,630 related to the Golf Course Community Facilities District feasibility, outreach and formation services, for a total not-to-exceed contract of $86,630.

The approval of the city’s current fiscal year revised combined compensation schedule for the addition of new positions.

The approval of a parcel map to create two parcels from nearly 5 acres located on the east side of Opal Avenue, 300 feet south of Mesquite Street.

The Hesperia City Council meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Hesperia City Hall, 9700 Seventh Avenue. For more information, visit www.CityofHesperia.us.

Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227, RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com, Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.