Russellville business owner sues city for sealed records after massage parlors raided - ktlo.com

[mnews]

Terry McCurter, the owner of three massage parlors in Russellville, is suing the city for access to court records after his businesses were shut down during a statewide operation aimed at combating human trafficking.

McCurter’s attorney, John Wesley Hall, claims that his client has not received the requested documents from the city under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Hall asserts that while McCurter has not been arrested, he is entitled to the records that explain why his businesses were searched and shut down.

“They raided the place. They’ve taken property,” Hall stated in an interview with KARK 4 News. “What things could possibly be interfered with now? The burden is on them to show a reason to keep it under seal, and they haven’t shown anything yet. They just said, ‘Oh, we want it under seal.’ Okay, sign off. It’s under seal. Well, tell us why. You have the burden of showing us why.”

The three Russellville massage parlors located at 1228 & 2008 West Main Street and 418 South Knoxville were among 12 initially searched during Operation Obscured Vision, a statewide initiative led by Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin to address human trafficking. While four arrests were made in Harrison, Rogers, and Jonesboro, no arrests have been made in Russellville. However, ¥1,870 in Chinese currency was seized in Russellville, along with a Mercedes-Benz in Rogers, and $70,000 across all locations.

The Russellville city attorney is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing that the affidavit, warrants, and other documents were sealed by Circuit Judge James Dunham at the request of a police detective. Detective Ronald Wescott wrote in a court document, “I am attempting to locate additional evidence, victims, and suspects. The release of any materials involved in this case would be detrimental to the investigation.”

According to the Arkansas Attorney General’s office, Operation Obscured Vision is still ongoing, with additional arrests, including one made on February 11, 2025, in connection with massage parlors in Rogers.

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