ROSWELL, Ga. — A Roswell spa owner is facing felony charges for allegedly sex trafficking her employees, according to arrest warrants.
The woman is facing felony trafficking a person for labor servitude and unlawful advertisement or practice of massage therapy, warrants said.
The alleged crime happened at IRIS Massage on 880 Holcomb Bridge Road.
Warrants stated police believed IRIS Massage was linked to another parlor allegedly known for offering sexual favors for paying customers.
Police executed a search warrant in September after they saw explicit online content suggesting the business could be engaging in an escort service.
During the search warrant, police found two employees who were unlicensed massage therapists. Authorities also found, in their search, items showing that the employees were living at the spa without needed transportation, warrants state.
During interviews with police, the employees revealed the owner allegedly forced them to work long hours throughout the week. The owner is also accused of forcing her employees to continue working after being abused. The employees were also allegedly forced to pay for clients’ massages if they did not want to engage in sexual activity.
According to warrants, the employee who was interviewed did not specifically state whether she engaged in sexual activity with clients.
Employees allege when they did not want to engage in those activities, the owner allegedly stated, “you need to keep the customer happy.”
Days after the search warrants, law enforcement received a tip that the massage parlor was back in business and reopened. The employees said the owner told them to conduct business as usual despite the search warrant.
A judge granted the spa owner a bond of $200,000 with special conditions last week. She would have to wear an ankle monitor and have no further contact with the employees and her co-defendants. According to court records, her next hearing date is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2024.