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Holyoke couple charged with human trafficking after allegedly operating ‘sexual massage’ parlor in Westfield
Todd and Baoshun Simonds, of Holyoke, were both charged with trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, deriving support from prostitution, and keeping a house of ill fame.
A couple who own a massage parlor in Westfield were arrested in connection to human trafficking after investigators found that clients received sexual massages for a fee from unpaid workers, court documents show.
Todd and Baoshun Simonds, of Holyoke, are both charged with trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, deriving support from prostitution, and keeping a house of ill fame, Westfield police said. Both pleaded not guilty in court last Thursday.
Westfield police said after a “lengthy” investigation, the couple were arrested for operating Southampton Road Massage and Body Work, where workers were only allowed to keep tips and were not paid wages.
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According to the massage parlor’s website, they charge $70 for an hour-long massage with a “professional staff of traditional massage therapists.”
Police said in court filings that these workers would sometimes stay in the business overnight or at the couple’s home, were not seen outside unless getting in or out of a vehicle, and worked up to 13 or 14 hours every day. Police also noted that the workers would stay for several weeks before being replaced by different people.
The Westfield police received complaints about the massage parlor, alleging that Baushun Simonds and the workers “were performing unwanted sexual acts during or at the end of massages.” Most complaints were submitted by men, but one woman reported that a worker touched her genitals, police said.
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Police also said they spoke to multiple men who sought out the parlor because of the cash-only “sexual massages” performed.
The couple were arrested on Jan. 31, when police allegedly found thousands in cash and three unsecured guns at their Holyoke home.
In lieu of bail, both Todd and Baushun are remaining behind bars ahead of their next appearance in court next month.
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