Stoughton massage parlor doubled as sex shop, say police - WCVB Boston

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STOUGHTON, Mass. —
Below the business’ purple sign were images on the window of men and women who appear to be enjoying back and foot massages, The Enterprise reported.


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But police say the operation inside was quite different – and illegal – at Echo Massage and Foot Spa.

Stoughton Police Department detectives executed a search warrant at the massage parlor, at 689 Washington St., about 10:27 a.m., Thursday. The warrant was obtained as a result of an investigation that stemmed from complaints about the business by residents.

“We looked into the complaints and were able to obtain and collect evidence as a result,” police Detective Sgt. Robert Welch told The Enterprise.

The business owner, 57-year-old Thomas Chan of Stoughton, was inside at the time of the raid.

As part of the prior investigation, police learned that 43-year-old Chunyan Li of Nashua, New Hampshire, was listed as a massage therapist for the business, Welch said. She was not at the parlor during the raid, but police say she was performing illegal sexual acts while working there.

“In the performance of her duties as a massage therapist, she was performing sexual acts for a fee,” Welch said.

On Aug. 21, 2016, the business posted an advertisement on the Backpage website announcing its grand opening.

“We always provide the best service to you, relieve your pain, relaxing your body and mind, private room, clean, quite and comfortable,” the ad stated. “This moment we only accept cash.”

On the morning of the raid, about 20 minutes before police showed up, the business posted another Backpage ad, which still stated it was a grand opening.

“We have cute&fun beautiful Asian girl, relax and invigorate your body and mind, relieve your stress,” it stated. The advertisement listed that the massages cost $60 for an hour and $40 for a half-hour.

Li was issued a summons to appear in court on charges of sexual conduct for a fee and solicitation for prostitution.

Chan was summonsed to court on charges of sexual conduct for a fee and keeping a house of prostitution.

Their arraignments in Stoughton District Court hadn’t been scheduled as of Friday morning.

As part of the investigation and raid on Thursday, police took the parlor’s town license away, effectively shutting the business down, at least temporarily.

Stoughton police were assisted by Massachusetts State Police, technicians from the state police Crime Scene Services Section and the state’s Division of Professional Licensure.

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