Anyone who suspects human trafficking is occurring can contact the National Hotline for Human Trafficking at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733). If the situation is an emergency or you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 911 and alert the authorities.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin massage parlor owner was charged Friday in connection with a possible prostitution enterprise following a tip Texas DPS received in September.
According to a Travis County arrest affidavit, 53-year-old Tuyen Thi Nguyen had an active warrant issued for his arrest. He was charged with aggravated promotion of prostitution, a first-degree felony in Texas.
The affidavit said, “Nguyen knowingly owns, invests in, finances, controls, supervises, and manages seven different illicit massage businesses in Austin, Texas which is ultimately a prostitution enterprise that uses between one to two adult victims who perform sex acts for money at each location.”
Court documents said approximately 13 adult victims were identified as having performed sex acts for money and then paid Nguyen for the service.
According to the affidavit, Nguyen was listed as an owner at seven massage parlors across the city; however, the parlors were jointly managed with other people.
As of Wednesday, Nguyen was not in custody at the Travis County jail.
Prior to the tip being reported, the affidavit said Nguyen was already the main suspect in a DPS human trafficking investigation.
KXAN previously reported how two massage parlors in Austin that were suspected of human trafficking were recently shut down. One of the parlors, Bibo Spa located at 2301 W. Parmer Lane, was owned by Nguyen, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
Bibo Spa was ordered to close after investigators found evidence the location was featured in online advertisements with sexual content. TDLR said online reviews also discussed sexual services the reviewers had received.
According to the department, investigators also found that employees were living in the establishment.
Court documents said during a search of the massage parlor, DPS agents found “lubrication for sexual acts, condoms, video surveillance equipment … and US currency.”
