A massage parlor in Elkhart was shut down Wednesday morning, Nov. 18, after there were reports that it was providing illegal sexual services to patrons.
The Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office sent a notice to the owner of the building at 1808 E. Bristol St. that one of its tenants, Lemon Spa, was operating illegally and that the owner would be held liable for future illegal activity that took place on the property. The business was closed within hours, the prosecutor’s office said.
Nearby businesses and residents reported that there were suspicious activities at Lemon Spa in late October, according to the prosecutor’s office.
During an investigation, authorities found an advertisement for the business on Backpage.com under the adult entertainment section. The ad promised “the best massage in town” by “very lovely and very beautiful Asian girls” who were “pretty, friendly, and well trained,” according to the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office.
“It is the expectation of the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney that property owners leasing space to individuals and or businesses fully understand the nature of the business and/or activities occurring on their property,” the prosecutor’s office said in a news release. “Law enforcement should not have to concern itself with cleaning up after the messes of the private sector, but we will.”
The space is now available for a new lease.
