On January 23, , Pennsylvania State Police executed a search warrant at Skippack Acupressure, a massage parlor in Montgomery County that is now facing allegations of prostitution-related activity.
During the investigation, undercover troopers went to the business on various datesposing as customers and solicited sexual acts from staff. The investigation resulted in the arrest of three Skippack Acupressure employees. One woman was arrested and charged with two promoting prostitution offenses, managing a house of prostitution a third-degree felony and procuring a prostitute for a patron a second-degree misdemeanor , as well as criminal conspiracy a third-degree misdemeanor , and possessing an instrument of crime a first-degree misdemeanor.
Two other female employees were charged with prostitution a third-degree misdemeanor. We know that prostitution and sex trafficking go hand in hand. Yet, we would encourage law enforcement to prioritize an anti-demand approach that would generate lasting results in the fight to eliminate commercial sexual exploitation in Skippack and other jurisdictions. Indeed, we have previously reported on other prostitution stings involving illicit massage parlors initiated by anonymous tipsters who observed men entering and exiting the establishments in droves — oftentimes at odd hours of day and night.
If an establishment is in fact an illicit massage parlor, it is logical to assume a majority of those patrons are entering the establishment with an intent to engage in criminal activity.
However, peculiarly, as a result of this particular investigation, the only people who were arrested and charged with a crime were the three employees confined to the establishment. None of the patrons presumably observed by concerned onlookers were subjected to arrest.
