Houston massage businesses close amid trafficking investigation

HOUSTON — A north Houston massage establishment and a handful of its affiliated businesses have been permanently closed after a recent state inspection found potential signs of trafficking at the original location.

On May 30, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) issued a six-month emergency closure for Foot Reflexology Star at 10801 Spring Cypress Road.

TDLR spokesperson Tela Mange explains that the closure came after a routine inspection.

“There was evidence of people living in the facility, as well as other indicators that we know go hand in hand with trafficking,” she said.

When KHOU 11 News visited the facility in early June, it appeared to still be open.

Several weeks later, the business was permanently closed, along with seven other massage businesses in Houston and Beaumont owned by Hsin Wei Chen.

“We started doing more research and found that they were all interconnected,” Mange said. “Before we could really start taking steps to see what’s happening in these other places, he agreed to close permanently.”

Mange tells KHOU 11 News that Chen signed a settlement agreement that revoked his massage therapist license and the licenses of his businesses:

• Foot Reflexology Star, 10801 Spring Cypress Rd., Ste. 12, Houston
• Sunny Foot Massage, 10950 FM 1960 W., Ste. B, Houston
• L&P Massage LLC, 2808 Hwy 6 S., Ste. AI, Houston
• A Massage d/b/a A Reflexology Massage LLC, 2570 I-10 E, Beaumont
• Heavenly Massage LLC d/b/a Heavenly Massage, 12989 Bellaire Blvd, Ste. 7A, Houston
• Everstanding Bliss d/b/a Heavenly Massage, 12989 Bellaire Blvd, Ste. 7A, Houston
• Ivy Massage, 1780 N. Major Dr., Beaumont
• Ly Massage, 17802 W. Little York Rd., Ste. D, Houston

Chen previously had an enforcement matter with TDLR for “similar conduct,” according to a statement.

“Establishments like this often move their employees from one location to another,” she said. “It’s possible this could happen, we’re not sure.

The initial six-month closure of Chen’s massage establishment north of Houston was the first emergency decision of its kind in Texas. A new state law (House Bill 3579), which took effect last September, gives TDLR the authority to close massage establishments if human trafficking is suspected.

Mange said the department expects “there will be a lot more closures of massage establishments.”

If you visit a massage business and things don’t seem normal, you are encouraged to report that establishment to TDLR.

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