Cypress Edition | November 2024

Local entities combat human tra cking in Cy-Fair From the cover

Put in perspective

Massage establishments closed due to suspected human tra cking

1 D & B Foot Massage • License revoked Sept. 24 • Closed as of press time 2 Foot Re exology Star • License revoked May 30 • Reopened June 26 under new ownership 3 Gen Spa • License revoked July 22 • Reopened July 24 under new ownership 4 Ly Massage • License revoked June 24 • Reopened July 8 under new ownership and changed name to Massage 5 Sunny Foot Massage • License revoked June 24 • Reopened July 8 under new ownership and changed name to SF Massage

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Because illicit massage businesses are a common venue for human tra cking, TDLR o cials perform unscheduled inspections at least once every two to four years. In late May, Hsin Wei Chen was ordered to temporarily close Foot Re exology Star—the rst business aected by HB 3579. He later had eight massage business licenses revoked; three were in Cy-Fair, according to a June 24 news release. “For too long, human tra ckers have been able to hide what they’ve been doing in massage establishments. But now, with this law in place, we will work with our local law enforcement partners to take the ght to these tra ckers,” Brian E. Francis, the TDLR’s interim executive director at the time, said in the release. After Chen failed to comply with the emergency order, the TDLR obtained a permanent injunction, per a Sept. 19 news release. He can no longer own, operate, manage or work in massage establishments in Texas. In July, Changjiang Zhong, owner of Gen Spa in Cy-Fair, agreed to a permanent license revocation for two businesses licensed there. In September, Yu Sheng Chen agreed to close 10 establishments, including D & B Foot Massage in Cy-Fair. Per the TDLR, potential signs of tra cking in these cases included:

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SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION§COMMUNITY IMPACT

• Evidence that employees were living there When an emergency order is issued, TDLR o cials visit the location with representatives of anti- tra cking organizations to assist any employees who want services.

• An ATM in the lobby • Advertisements showing 24-hour operations • Lingerie and high heels in the laundry area • Unlicensed employees providing massages

By the numbers

What the experts say

Human tra cking reports in the Houston area

Several Houston-area nonprots have programs dedicated to supporting human tra cking survivors. Michelle Temofonte, clinical director at Shield Bearer Counseling Centers based in Cy-Fair, said the organization had 12,097 individuals seek counseling services due to human tra cking trauma in 2023. While experts said psychological healing is an imperative part of human tra cking survivors’ recovery process, other resources organizations provide include safe housing, education, economic empowerment courses, a supportive community and transportation. The Houston Area Women’s Center has served more than 86 human tra cking survivors in 2024 as of Sept. 12, o cials said. Redeemed Ministries, based in the north Houston area, has helped more than 150 women escape human tra cking since 2005, Executive Director Bobby Mark said. “It is one of the easiest crimes for criminals to

Number of cases led

“We know what trauma does to the brain and how scary and dangerous it is for them. They will have to relearn how to think about themselves ... because they’ve been shut down during that life.” MICHELLE TEMOFONTE, CLINICAL DIRECTOR, SHIELD BEARER COUNSELING CENTERS “We’ve seen many municipalities use [HB 3579] to help ght to clean up their communities. ... I am currently working with TDLR to expand this bill next session to go after hotels and motels.” STATE REP. BEN BUMGARNER, R FLOWER MOUND

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SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICECOMMUNITY IMPACT

commit,” Mark said. “It’s easier to sell a human being than it is to sell a bag of drugs because the human being will lie to the police and say, ‘I’m ne; there is nothing wrong,’ much like a domestic violence victim because [they] are attached in some way or are being threatened in some way.”

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