TDLR shuts down Round Rock massage parlor over human trafficking allegations - KEYE TV CBS Austin

[Tara Brolley]

ROUND ROCK, Texas — The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has issued a six-month emergency closure order against a Round Rock massage establishment amid allegations of human trafficking.

ML Massage, located at 3001 Joe DiMaggio Blvd., Suite 650B, was ordered to cease operations effective March 19, according to a TDLR statement released Thursday. The order prohibits owner Xihui Peng and Jisheng Spa LLC from operating any massage business at that location.

A joint investigation by TDLR and the Williamson County Sheriff's Office Organized Crime Unit uncovered evidence that the establishment was offering sexual services. During an inspection, authorities found an employee living on the premises and discovered a fraudulent massage therapist license.

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Investigators said the employee, who had recently arrived from California, had not been informed before arriving that she would be required to provide sexual services. Officials reported she serviced customers "back-to-back all day" during busy periods and was unable to leave due to lack of transportation and unfamiliarity with the area.

The emergency closure was executed under House Bill 3579, legislation that took effect in September 2023. The law, proposed by Rep. Benjamin Bumgarner and Sen. Phil King, authorizes TDLR's executive director to immediately halt operations at massage establishments where human trafficking is suspected.

Anyone suspecting human trafficking can contact the National Hotline for Human Trafficking at 1-888-373-7888 or text "HELP" or "INFO" to BeFree (233733). For emergencies, authorities urge the public to call 911.