Medford Massage Parlor Workers Face Sex for a Fee Charges

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Two women face charges stemming from offering sexual services at Medford massage parlors, according to a Medford Police press release.

Baojuan Shi, 49 of New York City, and Simone Santos, 39, of Malden were both arrested Thursday and charged with sexual conduct for a fee, according to the release, written by Lt. Paul Covino. Santos was also in the country illegally, police said.

Shi worked at Mixue Spa at 397 Main Street, while Santos worked at Lavish Spa at 407 Mystic Ave., the release said. Citizen complaints led police investigate the spas, Covino wrote.

"As a result of numerous complaints from citizens of Medford about the alleged illegal sex acts that are taking place in some of the many massage parlors that are opening up in Medford, the Medford Police sent undercover officers in to some of these establishments to determine if this may be happening," Covino wrote.

The investigation also included the state's division of professional licensure, which cited Shi, Santos and another worker for not being a properly licensed massage therapist, the press release said.

The federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement was also involved in the investigation, its agents determined both women not victims of human trafficking, the release said. They also discovered Santos -- and another woman working at Lavish Spa who was not identified -- was in the country illegally, the release said.

"The Medford Police consider this operation a success, and we will continue until those businesses that allow illegal activities on their premises are fully compliant with the law or they leave Medford," Covino wrote.