SALEM, Mass.- Salem police have arrested three individuals following a three-month investigation into suspected human trafficking and prostitution-related activity at multiple businesses advertising “bodywork,” “reflexology,” and spa services in the city.
According to police, detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division led the inquiry, which focused on establishments operating at 133 Boston Street, doing business as “New Custom Body Work,” and 116A Boston Street, operating as “Red Rose Reflexology.”
Authorities said the investigation included coordination with the Community Impact Unit and the department’s Victim Services Unit. On April 17, officers executed multiple search warrants at the locations.
Police identified the arrested individuals as Peter Leavitt, 57, of Peabody; Fang Liu, 52, of Peabody; and Barry St. Onge, 64, of Shrewsbury. Each is expected to face charges including trafficking of a person for sexual servitude, deriving support from prostitution, and keeping a house of prostitution.
Salem police said human trafficking involves the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of individuals for forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation. Officials added that victims involved in such cases are treated as victims throughout the investigative process.
The department said the investigation was supported by the Massachusetts State Police Human Trafficking Division within the Office of the Attorney General, the Essex County District Attorney’s Office, and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department.
Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller said the operation was treated as both an investigation and a rescue effort, adding that exploitation of trafficking victims will not be tolerated in the city.
“We see this as much a rescue operation as it is a criminal investigation. The exploitation of victims of human trafficking will not be tolerated in the city of Salem,” stated Chief Lucas Miller.
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