Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) -- Law enforcement officials say a series of raids on western Massachusetts massage parlors has resulted in prositution and immigration charges against owners and employees.

State and local police and federal officials arrested three women on prostitution charges and six others for immigration violations on Wednesday during simultaneous raids on businesses in Springfield, Hadley, Chicopee, West Springfield, Longmeadow and East Longmeadow.

Police say two women were arrested in Hadley and charged with engaging in sexual activity for a fee. The owner of a Longmeadow business was charged with knowingly allowing the premises to be used for prostitution.

Police began investigating after receiving an anonymous tip from a customer.

In Rhode Island Tuesday, Governor Carcieri signed legislation that closed a loophole in the law that allowed prostitution to take place indoors in Rhode Island. Some Asian spas in Rhode Island did not open for business Tuesday and some workers didn't show up.

 Tags  massage parlors prostitution

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