In Florida sex spas, Chinese human trafficking rings operated in plain sight, prosecutors say after Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s solicitation arrest
- The Asian-themed spas, including the one where New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was arrested, are staffed with young women from China
- Authorities say many women in the spas were brought from China under false pretences and forced to service many men a day
In the drab, cookie-cutter world of Florida strip mall storefronts, there was little about the five Asian-themed spas lining Federal Highway in northern Palm Beach and southern Martin counties that screamed “hub of human trafficking.”
Yet, more than a dozen witnesses to the daily routine in the suburban shopping centres said they knew something was off about the parlours long before last week’s police raids, part of a sex trafficking and prostitution sting that nabbed New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and hundreds of other customers, along with several business owners.
Authorities say they intend to show that the parlours are part of a human-trafficking ring operating in Florida, New York and China.
Windows of the massage parlours were always dark they said, with any activity inside shielded from prying eyes by heavy drapes. Blue and red neon OPEN signs beckoned patrons, who were often seen entering at odd hours.
Passers-by often exchanged slightly awkward lewd jokes, puzzling over the meaning of “table showers” advertised in bold white font on the front windows.
“I always had a bad vibe about it,” said Abby Atwell, a young woman who worked at a smoothie shop next door to Cove Day Spa in Stuart. “My mom was always like ‘that’s not a massage place’.”
