Two Boston Street storefronts that promised relaxation are now crime scenes in a Salem sex-trafficking investigation, with police saying three people were arrested this week after a months-long probe into local shops advertising “bodywork,” “reflexology” and “spa” services.
According to Salem Police Department, the suspects are Peter Leavitt, 57, and Fang Liu, 52, both listed as Peabody residents, along with 64-year-old Barry St. Onge of Shrewsbury. All three face charges that include trafficking a person for sexual servitude, deriving support from prostitution and keeping a house of prostitution. St. Onge was held on $250,000 bail, while Leavitt and Liu were each held on $35,000. If Liu posts bail, she must surrender her passport, according to Boston 25 News.
Raids Target Boston Street Storefronts
Detectives served multiple search warrants on April 17 at 133 Boston St., which was operating as New Custom Body Work, and 116A Boston St., operating as Red Rose Reflexology. Salem’s Community Impact Unit and the department’s Victim Services Unit led the inspections as part of the wider trafficking probe, as reported by Patch.
Police Chief: ‘Rescue Operation’ as Much as Bust
“We see this as much a rescue operation as it is a criminal investigation,” Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller said, emphasizing that people working in these businesses are treated as victims throughout the process. In a statement to Patch, Miller said the department is prioritizing victim services alongside criminal enforcement.
Multi-Agency Probe Still Active
The investigation has drawn in the Massachusetts State Police Human Trafficking Division within the Attorney General’s Office, the Essex County District Attorney’s Office and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, police said. Court proceedings are underway, and authorities say the probe remains active, Boston 25 News reported.
Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Salem Police Department. Prosecutors and victim-services partners are expected to release more details as they become available, and this story will be updated as additional public records and official statements are filed.
