Houston massage business owner shuts down 10 businesses amid human trafficking claims

HOUSTON -The owner of a Houston massage business, which was shut down in early September due to suspected human trafficking, has agreed to permanently close 10 of his establishments and exit the massage industry in Texas.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) said in a press release that Yu Sheng Chen was issued on Sept. 3 a six-month emergency closure order for Ok Foot Spa off Post Oak Road in Houston. This led to Chen's 10 massage parlors to have their licenses permanently revoked.

Houston Police Department investigators discovered that employees at Ok Foot Spa were "provocatively dressed, unlicensed, and allegedly providing sexual services." In March, Chen faced charges in Harris County for employing unlicensed massage therapists, with police suspecting trafficking among employees.

After the emergency closure order, Chen signed a settlement agreement that revokes any pending massage program license applications as well as these massage establishment licenses:

The settlement prohibits Chen from owning or managing any massage establishments or working as a massage therapist or instructor in Texas for life. If he violates this agreement, TDLR may impose further penalties.

TDLR issued the emergency orders under HB 3579, which allows the agency toto halt operations of any massage establishment suspected of human trafficking. This marks the eighth emergency order issued by TDLR since the law took effect.