How to report a crime to Delaware Crime Stoppers
This video details what Delaware Crime Stoppers is and how to report a crime. 8/25/23
New Castle County police detectives are continuing their crackdown on illicit massage businesses in the county, recently making arrests in connection with three businesses that police say were trafficking employees.
The investigation began in 2025, when police “received information” that clients were being offered sex while receiving massages at Wellness Tui-Na, located on Old Lancaster Pike in Hockessin, a news release said.
As detectives surveilled the location, they identified two people of interest: a 74-year-old man and 62-year-old woman. They followed them to “multiple” other businesses, including Angel Magic Therapy on Foulk Road in Brandywine Hundred and Panda Therapy Massage on South Chapel Street in Bear.
While investigating, detectives learned of two other women, both 63, who owned and operated the massage businesses. Police said sex acts were being offered during massages at those locations.
When police executed search warrants at the businesses, they found “potential human trafficking victims who reported they had not been compensated for working at the spa,” a news release said.
Court records previously obtained by Delaware Online/The News Journal indicated this is not uncommon for human trafficking victims. The victims are also often forced to live at the businesses, though county police did not say whether that was the case here.
Police arrested the man and woman first investigated at Wellness Tui-Na, as well as the two other women, on numerous charges, including felony counts of promoting prostitution, conspiracy, money laundering-related charges, wage theft and others.
Bail amounts ranged from $5,100 to $12,100.
Got a story tip or idea? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com.
