5 Chicago women charged with running prostitution out of 3 Michigan City massage parlors - South Bend Tribune

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Five Chicago women were arrested in Michigan City on charges related to prostitution at three different massage parlors.Undercover officers investigated the businesses after receiving complaints of sexual activity being offered in exchange for money.Police seized over $6,000 in cash from the three massage parlors.Authorities say they brought social workers in case any of the women were being exploited.
MICHIGAN CITY — Five Chicago women are facing allegations of offering sexual activity for money at three Michigan City massage parlors.

All of the arrests happened Monday after an investigation police say ended with undercover officers going into the establishments and making deals for sex.

One 45-year-old woman faces a felony charge of maintaining a common nuisance. She and a 39-year-old woman, who was charged with misdemeanor prostitution, were arrested at 2707 Franklin St., where more than $1,800 in cash was seized, according to written findings in the case submitted in LaPorte Superior Court 4.

Two other women, 53 and 51 years old, were arrested at 1416 Franklin St. and charged with misdemeanor prostitution. More than $2,900 in cash was seized from the Franklin Street address, according to prosecutors.

A 52-year-old woman was arrested on the same prostitution charge at a third location,Ruby Massage at 1706 E. U.S. 20, where just over $1,700 in cash was confiscated, according to prosecutorial filings with the court.

According to court documents filed in each of the cases, the investigation began late last year in response to complaints of standard massages offered for a fee as well as sexual activity, including intercourse, for an additional price.

Rates for sex acts ranged from whatever tips customers wanted to leave to a specific fee of up to $200, police alleged.

The investigation included surveillance operations in January and February by the LaPorte County Drug Task Force at each location along with undercover officers recently posing as customers.

The undercover officers claimed they started receiving standard massages then left after receiving offers for sexual activity at an additional cost.

At one of the locations, an officer after exchanging money for intercourse was told “here’s the girl for the $100,” according to prosecutors, who wrote that the officer then walked out.

Prosecutors allege that another officer was informed by one of the suspects giving him a massage that “we have a full list of services.”

When he asked if they offered sex, the woman replied “sex was $200,” he claimed in court filings.

After obtaining search warrants, police said, cash was found on countertops, inside desk drawers and other places like inside the pages of notebooks.

Bank statements and receipts for transactions were also confiscated, police said.

Social workers were reportedly called upon to help any of the suspects who may have been exploited or trafficked.

“Michigan City will not tolerate illegal activity,” said Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch, "and we will continue to uphold public safety and quality of life for our residents."