By Alexandrea Dahlstrom
SLN Staff
A business that was allegedly being run by illegal immigrants, and provided sexual favors to customers was shut down by Lake Geneva police last Friday.
According to a press release from Lake Geneva Police Chief Michael S. Rasmussen two Chinese women, ages 52 and 54, were arrested and turned over to Immigration & Customs Enforcement late Friday morning, after local police, the FBI and Homeland Security conducted an investigation into the masseuse parlor, Eastern Healing Center, operating at 612 Wells Street, Unit G.
Names of those arrested are currently being held as federal agents continue the investigation to find out if other parties were involved.
According to Det. Ed Gritzner, the 54 year old had previous history with the agency and was to be deported but filed an appeal. Both women have been taken to an undisclosed location in Milwaukee.
“We have been investigating this establishment since Sept. 6,” said Gritzner, “We followed several tips from the community including a business owner who claimed a client of hers mentioned they had visited the center and received a ‘happy ending.’”
The investigation, which originated from tips from local citizens, led police to discover the business was operating without a license.
On display at the business was a license named to an individual dating back to 2008. Gritzner said officials are still seeking the individual for questioning.
City hall had no record of a legit license, Gritzner said. Wisconsin requires all masseuses be licensed through the state. Neither women arrested had such a license.
A call to the Chamber of Commerce revealed that Lyndon Yin, with a mailing address in Schaumburg, Ill., is the listed owner.
Gritzner further stated that one of the complaints was from a cleaning lady who noticed several beer cans outside the establishment. She noted that several of the women would be around at night in their pajamas and the same women were seen the following days “making out with clients outside the Center.”
Several online searches revealed “reviews” from clients of the establishment. The reviews consisted of ratings on the massages and what “extras” or “happy endings” were included and what they cost. Other details included hours of operation that were 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., walk-ins welcome and cash only.
The City of Lake Geneva has no plans to press local charges since the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency has taken over the case. Any charges that would be pressed would be on a state or federal level.
Gritzner said that the department’s main objective was to get the place shutdown as soon as possible for the safety and well being of the community. He suggested cases like these can lead to human sex trafficking but no evidence of this has yet been presented.
This case is still under investigation.
