Prostitution Sting May Close St. Charles Massage Parlor

ST. CHARLES, IL — A St. Charles massage business is facing legal action after an undercover officer alleged an employee of the business offered to have sex with him for $100, according to a report.

The Daily Herald reported that the Shangri-La Spa & Sauna may have their license revoked after information came to light in a Monday testimony. The arrest yielded a hearing with St. Charles' alcohol, tobacco and massage commission.

Mayor Ray Rogina decided to revoke Shangri-La's business license, but they appealed the decision in court. A judge gave the case back to the commission, allowing them more time to find evidence. The business is facing a total of seven allegations of them violating city codes.

Rogina now has 14 days to decide whether to revoke Shangri-La's business license, after testimony on Monday night described a scene of what is clearly solicitation for prostitution.

The undercover officer, with the Illinois State Police, testified on Monday that on Jan. 11, he went to Shangri-La and agreed with the masseuse on $45 for a 30-minute massage.

During the massage, the woman had him turn over, exposing his genitals, he said, according to the Herald. Exposed genitals is a violation of city code.

She then massaged his hips while asking what other services he wanted. She agreed to have sex with him for $100 and touched his genitals while putting a condom on him, he testified.

He then told the masseuse he couldn't do it, noting he would feel guilty cheating on his wife. They agreed that the woman would perform a sex act on her own, the Herald reported.

The undercover officer signaled to St. Charles police to arrest the woman.

City law mandates that any massage parlor is required to have a licensed massage therapist on site at all times during business hours. A St. Charles police officer testified she saw no other employees in the business except for the one they arrested, according to the Herald.

"There is no supervision at this facility; It's a free-for-all," said Tim O'Neil, an attorney representing the St. Charles police department, the Herald reported.

However, Richard Miller, the attorney representing the owner of Shangri-La, said there is no proof that the owner actually violated any laws. He said the owner was in an adjacent building watching her son play ping pong during on the night of Jan. 11 when the alleged solicitation happened. It is possible that the owner was present, but not visible, during this time.

"This is a rogue employee who allegedly perpetrated an act of solicitation," Miller said. "My client didn't knowingly allow it. She didn't personally violate any ordinances."

Miller said the business' employees agreed with the owner that they can be fired for allegations of prostitution, though there he did not provide any documentation proving this. He also said that the owner is not responsible when employees commit criminal acts. Miller said the owner fired the employee the day after the alleged crime happened, the Herald reported.

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