EVIL HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT: Illicit Dover 'spa' closed for good without an arrest

The building on Fourth Street in Dover where the Healthly Spa was formerly located. A Google search labels it as permanently closed. (Courtes photo)

DOVER - One of 15 illicit massage businesses recently shut down across the state was located in downtown Dover, not far from the police station, train station, city hall and several churches, but that's nothing unusual, according to a statement released on Wednesday from the state Attorney Generals Office.
"These businesses--posing as legitimate massage parlors--are often fronts for organized trafficking operations," the AG's statement explained. "They are typically located near schools, daycares, restaurants, and residential areas, exploiting women who are trafficked into the country, lured by false promises, isolated, and controlled through coercion and debt."
"These are not real spas--they are hubs of organized trafficking hiding in plain sight," said Attorney General John M. Formella. "They profit from the abuse of vulnerable women and have no place in our state."
The Healthly Spa on Fourth Street in Dover was one such enterprise, Dover Police Lt. Mark Nadeau told The Rochester Voice on Thursday.
Nadeau said they first began investigating activities going on at the Healthly Spa a couple of years ago.
"We were getting reports alleging employees were getting money for sex and began actively investigating the allegations late last year," he said. "When the Attorney Generals Office announced the initiative to target these businesses we connected with them to be part of the campaign."
Nadeau said they were able to have the business removed in January by gathering information and making it known to the property owners who were renting out the space.
"We brought attention to the owners and encouraged them to remove the tenants," Nadeau added.
The Healthly Spa was just one of 15 illicit massage operations that were recently closed, but they are thought to comprise just 40 percent of such businesses across the state, according to a statement from the AG's Office.
"This is an ongoing investigation and enforcement effort," said Michael Garrity, a spokesman for the attorney general. "The Department is continuing to work with the nonprofit "The Network" and local and federal law enforcement partners to identify and shut down illicit massage businesses in the state--including the remaining 60 percent and any others that are subsequently identified - through the Landlord Engagement Program, regulatory enforcement, and criminal investigations.
Garrity noted that so far no arrests have been made in connection with the enforcement effort.
For his part, Nadeau said he and the department were extremely appreciative for the support Dover Police received from state police and other law enforcement partners.
The initiative is part of the state Department Department of Justice's broader effort to disrupt human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation in New Hampshire communities.
The DOJ's multifaceted response includes the Landlord Engagement Program, a proactive effort to work with property owners to identify and shut down such businesses by terminating their leases.
So far 15 bogus massage businesses have been shuttered in Derry, Londonderry, Hudson, Merrimack, Manchester, Salem, and Somersworth.

The Attorney General's Office urges landlords and residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious businesses. Landlords who believe any such activities may be operating on their property are encouraged to contact NH DOJ Anti-Trafficking Hotline at 603-271-9703.
"If you are buying sex at these businesses, you are funding human trafficking. You are part of the problem--and we will hold you accountable," said Formella. "If you are running one of these operations, know that our efforts will continue until every one of these businesses is shut down."
The recent passage of HB 405 makes it a class B felony for any person or business to knowingly permit a place under control to be used for prostitution. Class B felonies are punishable by up to 3.5 to 7 years in the State Prison and a $4,000 fine for an individual or a $100,000 fine for a business. If the offense involves a person under the age of 18 or involves the compulsion of another by force or intimidation, HB 405 increases the offense to a class A felony, which is punishable by up to 7.5 to 15 years in the State Prison and a $4,000 fine for an individual or a $100,000 fine for a business.
To report suspicious activity or request support, please contact the NH DOJ Anti-Trafficking Hotline: 603-271-9703.