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ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — With numerous spa locations throughout the Capital Region now shut down after a federal investigation revealed a large prostitution ring, many of the workers at these spas may be victims themselves. Human trafficking experts and local community-based groups shared with NEWS10 what to look out for when sex trafficking is possible.
“There are a number of different avenues that protect crime victims and allow them some mechanisms for applying for legal status and immigration law,” said Daniel Butterworth the Executive Director at RISSE. He said that two years ago, “There were a pair of siblings who reunited here, and they were both victims of trafficking.”
He said the traffickers were able to separate the siblings and move them around the world, “They [human trafficker] held the passport and then that individual has no legal ID to be able to get out of the situation that they’re in.” He went on to explain, “They hadn’t seen each other since they were sold off. And so, this is one other way that is just so inhumane. But families are ripped apart and, you know, and we see that all the time, whether it’s trafficking or otherwise.”
Renée Henck is the Anti Trafficking Coordinator at Safe Inc., and she said there are several red flags of human trafficking to look out for, “There is an estimated 9,000 [massage parlors] across the U.S. operating at any given time. So, when we’re looking for these massage parlors to try and get an idea of what might be going on, we try to look at a whole picture.”
“We will often see them pop up quickly or leave after a few weeks, so we may see them change ownership frequently. A predominantly male clientele coming in and out of these massage parlors, and we want to pay attention to the advertising that we see for these websites. So, we will often see like very suggestive advertising when we are looking at these massage parlors,” said Henck.
She also said to pay attention to cash only establishments, “That’s not to say that every place that does cash only is trafficking. But we do want to definitely look at that. There is a desire to keep a lot of things underground. We want to also be looking at how our female staffs are dressed. Anyone can be a victim of trafficking within these organizations.”
Attorney George LaMarche, Partner at Lamarche Safranko Law said these victims do have rights, “The investigators, the police, U.S. attorney’s office are going to want to keep them here, to keep them cooperating. And the benefit to them would be potentially allowing them immigration status to allow them to stay in the country longer.”
But if the alleged sex workers were not a victim they will be charged with a crime, “If they are similar entrepreneurial spirit, individuals who are trying to make an extra buck and finding a path to make more money a quicker way, then they may not face the same serious charges, but they’re certainly going to face prostitution charges.”
LaMarche said the prostitution charge will carry a maximum of 90 days in jail and one year of probation. And as for the alleged ringleader in this case, she is looking at five years in prison, “It doesn’t mean that she can’t also be charged with more serious crimes later on down the line.”
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James De La Fuente
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