Austin massage businesses closed after illicit activity findings

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has ordered the closure of massage businesses operating out of 13233 Pond Springs Road in Northwest Austin for a period of one year, following evidence of illicit sexual activity occurring at the businesses. Lavender Massage and Sakura Foot Relax are businesses listed at the address. In February 2024, the agency filed a nuisance abatement suit against businesses operating at this property, resulting in the closure of Essence Massage. Another massage business opened shortly thereafter, and the illicit practices continued, according to the office. After the agency’s Human Trafficking Unit found evidence of illicit sexual activity continuing to occur at the business, it filed a second suit against both the property owner and the owner of the massage business. After a two-day trial, the court ruled in favor of the state, granting an order requiring the property’s closure for one year and a five-year ban on leasing the property to massage businesses. "Many of the businesses operate as nothing more than fronts for human trafficking, and it’s imperative that they shut down and that the perpetrators are brought to justice," Paxton wrote in the Wednesday memo.