City Attorney Wes Duncan announces passage of new ordinances to prevent illegal massage parlors

Sparks, NV - City Attorney Wes Duncan announced the passage of new laws in the City of Sparks to prevent illegal massage parlors within the city. The passage of these new laws comes after City Attorney Wes Duncan announced in November that all known illegal massage parlors were shut down in Sparks.

The new laws sponsored by City Attorney Wes Duncan strengthen the City of Sparks as a leader in closing and deterring illegal massage parlors within the region. First, the ordinance will ensure that any owner (or anyone related by business association or marriage) of a previously revoked license will not be able to apply for a license in the future. Second, no massage establishment will be able to be licensed in the same location for three years after a business license has been revoked for that location. Third, the ordinance increases the inspection power of law enforcement and code enforcement and includes a provision that a business license can be revoked if they are refused the right to inspect. Fourth, the ordinance prevents any owner or employee from using the massage establishment as living or sleeping quarters unless they possess a valid home occupation permit.

"Last year we sent a clear message to illegal brothels masquerading as massage parlors that their presence will not be tolerated in the City of Sparks," said City Attorney Wes Duncan. "Today we reaffirm our commitment to human trafficking victims that we will continue to use all measures to combat and deter this illegal activity in our city."

City Attorney Duncan continued, "If any entity attempts to pose as a massage business but is a front for an illegal brothel, you will be investigated and shut down. Our office will remain vigilant in not tolerating the exploitation of women in the City of Sparks," said Duncan.

Illicit massage businesses appear as legitimate massage establishments, but behind closed doors, sexual acts are exchanged for money. The illicit massage industry is one of the largest and most networked sex trafficking markets in the United States and is a multi-billion-dollar industry. In most illicit massage businesses, vulnerable populations are sold "the American Dream" and they incur massive debt to travel to the United States. They then work and live exclusively at the illegal massage businesses to repay that debt. Moreover, illegal massage businesses are often intelligently organized crime rings that have multiple levels of organization at both the local level and across state lines.

Media Contact and in-person interviews for this story-please contact Sparks City Attorney's Office:

Nancy Ortiz

[email protected]

(775) 353-2320