The following information about the searches that took place at four St. Joseph County massage businesses and a home has been released by St. Joseph County Sheriff Bill Redman:

As part of an ongoing investigation, yesterday police and state investigators simultaneously entered with warrants and searched four local massage parlor locations and a residence on Buckhorn Drive in South Bend, all properties are owned or operated by the same individual.

Police and state investigators suspect human trafficking, sexual solicitation and tax fraud has been occurring at these four massage businesses.

As part of yesterday’s 14-hour search, investigators seized dozens of boxes totaling thousands of pages of financial records. Investigators interviewed 9 business customers and 12 suspected female victims, along with business owners and managers. Police also seized cash from the five locations totaling over $88,000.00.

Multiple women were living inside each business location. Interviews of the women were conducted by a Chinese Mandarin interpreter. Through the interpreter investigators were able to confirm that at least some of the women had been trafficked and were being held and forced to work against their will.

Multiple women also confirmed that sexual activity had occurred with customers. Currently at least two women requested help, have been removed from the business location, are being provided aide, and will be assisted returning to their country of origin.

This is a continuing and ongoing investigation. At this time no arrests have been made.

The warrants were served at massage parlors at the following locations:

• 421 Hickory Road, South Bend 
• 12670 SR 23, Granger 
• 50795 SR 933 N., South Bend
• 2614 S. Michigan, South Bend

“I want to start by thanking the Indiana State Police, the Indiana Department of Revenue, the Battle Ground Police Department and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department for their assistance with this investigation,” Sheriff Bill Redman began. “Yesterday’s raids are just one more step in this complex investigation. We will be continuing to work closely with the State Police and State Tax Investigators as we work on building criminal charges,” Redman continued.

“These investigations are not quick nor easy. The crimes are committed behind doors and people will not generally talk. Yesterday, we were fortunate to have some of the women come forward, tell investigators what was occurring behind closed doors and ask for assistance returning home. I commend all involved in the investigation to this point. There is more work to do, but yesterday was a big win for at least two women forced to live and work in these massage parlors.”