Cops bust Hampshire, Crystal Lake massage parlors for prostitution

Patrons visiting two suburban massage parlors have been getting more than just a massage, police charged this week.

Two women who work at the East West Healing Touch, with locations in Hampshire and Crystal Lake, were charged with prostitution Thursday after an undercover operation revealed they were offering their clients sexual acts, according to police.

The investigation began in the spring, when two men who visited the massage parlors complained to local officials.

"In Hampshire, one of the subjects went to the mayor and said, 'Hey, I went to get a massage and it wasn't a real massage,'" said Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Tim Sebastian. "They both said they were offered sexual acts. They were offended by it so they reported it."

Hampshire and Crystal Lake authorities contacted the Illinois State Police because of their experience with undercover operations. State police began conducting surveillance on the parlors in April.

"We noticed there was a lot of male clientele - actually, all male clientele - which isn't illegal but raises our suspicions," Sebastian said.

Police also found notices on Craigslist advertising the services of Healing Touch employees, including house calls.

Based on their investigation, police obtained a search warrant and sent an undercover officer into the Crystal Lake location about 1 p.m. Thursday.

"At some point in time, the masseuse - named 'Coco' - offered to perform a sexual act if he paid her," Sebastian said. "He said no, and a search warrant was executed, and she was arrested."

The same officer went into the Healing Touch in Hampshire at 3 p.m. to get a second massage. This time, the masseuse was more forward.

"She didn't ask if he wanted an act performed on him," Sebastian said. "When it was time to roll over, I don't know how you want to say this - she grabbed him. She just grabbed him in a sexual nature. He just said, 'I don't do that,' and got up and left."

Police arrested the masseuse, 46-year-old Mengyi Guan. Both Guan and "Coco" - police were still trying to determine her real name Friday - were charged with misdemeanor prostitution. Both were released after posting $100 bond.

Guan, police said, is on an expired work visa from China and has been referred to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Chicago for possible action.

Charges are pending against three people who jointly own the massage parlors. Officers say they've spoken with the owners, who denied knowledge of sexual acts.

One of the owners initially denied he owned the Crystal Lake parlor, police said. When confronted with evidence both locations were operating under the same business license, he said he forgot to mention the Crystal Lake storefront, police said.

The man, police said, also owns a Chinese restaurant in West Dundee and co-owns another Chinese restaurant in Hampshire.

The state police financial crimes unit is working to establish a definitive link between the owners and the businesses, Sebastian said.

In the meantime, it doesn't seem like business is slowing at the parlors. Professionals who work in nearby office space in Crystal Lake called police Friday to say the Healing Touch was still open for business.

A woman who answered the phone at the location in Hampshire Friday did not seem to speak fluent English.

"Do you want a massage?" she said.

When asked to comment on allegations involving the Healing Touch, she said: "Three o'clock, come here."

Soon, Healing Touch patrons from the Fox Valley may not have to drive out to Hampshire or Crystal Lake to get a relaxing rubdown. Police said one of the owners plans to open a third location on Rock Road in East Dundee.