The Sheriff’s Office closed down a massage parlor Tuesday, Aug. 7, located on Shepherd Drive in Sterling, after an almost three-month investigation.
Kraig Troxell, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office, said the investigation began when a citizen who heard about illegal activity going on at that location approached Sheriff Steve Simpson.
Since the Sheriff’s Office issues licenses to run massage parlors, it was entitled to spot check the facility, which it did on Tuesday.
When investigators from the Sheriff’s Vice/Narcotics Unit entered Ao Natural Healing around 6 p.m., they discovered four adult females and three adult male customers.
"One employee and the patron were involved in illegal sexual conduct," Troxell said.
All of the business licenses and permits were confiscated, Troxell said, and the owner was advised to cease any business activities there.
While there are no charges at this point, Troxell said, the incident is still under investigation.
"First and foremost, we wanted to close the business down and cease operation," he said. "Each individuals massage license was confiscated so they won’t be able to operate in this county."
The Sheriff’s Office shut down a similar business in 1999, located in the Sterling Plaza Shopping Center located on Sterling Boulevard.
"I don’t think there’s a connection there," Troxell said.
The investigation is ongoing and charges are possible in this case.