Uncooperative owners block closure of illegal massage parlors

STUART, Fla. — The Martin County sheriff says landlords are obstructing efforts to shut down all illegal massage parlors in the area.

Sheriff William Snyder said deputies have made more than 20 arrests over the past five years at seven parlors across the county. Four of them closed after authorities worked with the owners, but the other owners are not cooperating, he said.

“Of the seven we've identified, some landlords are cooperating. They've evicted the tenants,” Snyder said. “We have a few who try not to do it, but they have a choice. If we tell them there is a criminal enterprise, prostitution, going on in their mall and they don't do not expel knowingly, we will put them in prison.”

Snyder said he gives landlords a form explaining that tenants are violating state laws on prostitution and human trafficking. Secret investigations began in 2019.

“These investigations take time; they take a lot of work,” he said. “It took a few years, but we believe we have identified all the illicit parlors here. Most have closed, and the remaining few will close, or the owners will face criminal charges.”

Authorities identified the parlors through complaints from people solicited for prostitution during legitimate massages and from nearby businesses disrupted by the activity, the sheriff's office said.

Edward Cagliano, who owns a restaurant near a closed salon, said he saw law enforcement raid Green Massage four or five times. He wasn't surprised by the repeated violations given the late hours and questionable behavior.

“A little bit in shock,” Cagliano said. “But after a few times, we are even more surprised that it continues to reopen, as usual.”

The salon closed about two months ago. He hopes a legitimate company will replace him. Another neighbor said the prostitution charges were not surprising since people routinely entered and exited through the back door.

The three allegedly illicit salons are Asian Sports Massage, Massage Orchid and Le Mandarin Massage & Spa.

County records show Daffodil LLC owns the Le Mandarin property. State records list Sally S. Benson of Lantana as business manager. Benson told WPTV she was not aware of any investigation. The sheriff's office made three arrests there.

Indian River Holdings LLC and Emerald Jade Holdings LLC own ownership of Asian Sports Massage and Massage Orchid, records show. John Martino manages these companies, listing addresses in New York and Stuart, including 309 SE Osceola St., home of Florida Commercial Realty.

The sheriff is urging anyone who knows of suspected prostitution in massage parlors to notify authorities.