An Austin massage parlor has had its license suspended amid serious allegations of human trafficking. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) took swift action against RS Foot Massage after the owner, Lu Juqing, was arrested and charged with trafficking persons. CBS Austin reported that the TDLR issued an emergency closure order on August 6, directly following a request from the Austin Police Department (APD) as part of their investigation.

Lu, 48, reportedly coerced women into providing sexual services at the establishment located on Highway 290. An affidavit indicates that the women, recruited from China, were confined to the business 24 hours a day, a situation discovered after police acted on an email tip from one of the victims. The TDLR, granted the authority last September to close businesses suspected of such illegal activities, took the measure to prevent further exploitation. Tela Mange from TDLR emphasized the importance of community vigilance, telling KXAN, "If you see something, let us know." This is the fourth such closure issued by the agency across Texas since the new law took effect.

Details from the arrest affidavit draw a harrowing picture of the operation. Victims were allegedly forced to offer sexual services to clients, the profits from which, predominantly went to the suspect. In response to these allegations, signs for RS Foot Massage have been removed, and the premises remained inaccessible when reporters arrived at the location.

Mange listed indicators of sex trafficking that the public should report, such as signs that people live at the business, unprofessional attire among employees, and the presence of items like condoms and flavored massage oil. The objective, as Mange stated, is to "really motivated to eradicate human trafficking in Texas." Lu is currently being held at Travis County Jail with bond set at $200,000.