On Monday morning, Attorney General Tim Griffin held a press conference in Little Rock.
You can watch it here.
The Reckoning did not travel to Little Rock to cover it but we watched it online. You may ask why we did not if the press conference was partly about one of the topic we have covered extensively: massage parlors.
We like to show our readers how media and politics work. Here's the release we received on Friday.
Mystery press conference! So we didn't want to burn a tank of gas and hours in Little Rock on something that might not interest readers of the Reckoning without really knowing what we would be covering.
Griffin issued the following statement Monday announcing the results of a raid at AI Massage in Hot Springs:
“On May 22, investigators from my office conducted a raid at AI Massage at 3954 Central Avenue in Hot Springs. Our operation was based on intelligence indicating that the massage parlor was facilitating prostitution and enabling human trafficking.
“During the operation, more than $22,000 in American cash was seized, as was currency from Turkey, Thailand, and Colombia. About 100 unused condoms were confiscated, along with what is believed to be a home remedy to treat sexually transmitted infections, which implies there was sexual activity occurring at the business.
“No arrests have been made at this time, but suspects have been identified, and our investigation is ongoing. Three individuals, all Chinese nationals, were provided victim services by victim advocate groups. One of the victims shared that she came to the United States through Mexico, responding to an online ad in China for work in the United States not of a sexual nature.
“This operation stems from intelligence gathered during Operation Obscured Vision, an effort my office coordinated in January with local law enforcement agencies targeting suspected illicit massage parlors in multiple locations throughout the state.
“I am committed to shutting down these hotbeds of human trafficking and Chinese criminal interference in our way of life.
“I am grateful for the invaluable cooperation of the Hot Springs Police Department, 18th East Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Lawrence, Arkansas State Police, Into the Light, and the Northwest Arkansas Center for Sexual Assault’s REACH program. I will update the public on this case as it develops.”
The release continues, "Combining with the results of Operation Obscured Vision in January, raids on illicit massage parlors this year have now led to six arrests, two additional warrants issued, and the confiscation."
Griffin also announced "an organized retail crime blitz in Jonesboro."
Griffin said in the release, “Last week, investigators from my office led an organized retail crime blitz in Jonesboro with the cooperation of the Jonesboro Police Department and 13 retail store locations. We arrested 16 individuals on theft charges and identified five additional suspects. Some of those we arrested were charged with additional crimes such as drug possession, tampering with evidence, and forgery. In total, more than 60 charges were brought as a result of the blitz, about half of which were felony charges."
Back to massage parlors, the Reckoning has written several times about massage parlors. Read those here:
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Suzi Parker
Suzi Parker
