Passersby noticed a heavy DeKalb County Police presence at 7 Massage on May 30. (Photo by Nancy Juney)
Authorities in Dunwoody are investigating a local massage parlor after one of its employees was arrested by DeKalb County police in late May and charged with running a prostitution ring.
Hongfang Lin, 52, of Flushing, New York, was arrested May 30 following an undercover operation at 7 Massage Spa, located at 5064 Nandina Lane, and charged with one count of prostitution and one count of operating a place of prostitution.
Dunwoody authorities said they were unaware of the arrest until the Rough Draft investigation and that they are investigating the matter and may file more charges. The store appears to have reopened for business as of August 15.
According to an account in Lin’s arrest report, police conducted an undercover investigation after receiving an anonymous tip that the spa was offering “illegal services and prostitution.”
DeKalb Police Detective JJ Kimble, working undercover, entered the store at 4 p.m. and made contact with Lin, who escorted him into a back room of the store.
“Ms. Lin then asked Detective Kimble how long he needed and Detective Kimble responded 30 minutes,” the report states. “Ms. Lin responded that it would cost $60 for 30 minutes. Detective Kimble handed Ms. Lin the $60 (three $20 bills) that he had received from the DeKalb County Investigative Fund.”
Lynn then instructed Kimble to remove her clothes for the massage, which continued for the next 30 minutes, according to the report.
“Ms. Lynn advised that the additional fees were separate and would be paid by Detective Kimble once the massage was completed,” the report states. “Ms. Lynn then turned off the lights and retrieved some lubricant and additional tissues.”
Kimble said he wanted to use the bathroom, and Lynn told the detective he could go after he was done with oral sex, pointing to his mouth and Kimble’s genitals, the suit states.
Lynn was subsequently arrested. The marked bills were found in her purse. She was booked into the DeKalb County Jail that night and released on bail on June 2.
At the time of the incident, Dunwoody Police officials said they were not involved in or aware of any police action at the store.
In Georgia, massage therapists and businesses must be licensed by the Secretary of State. A search for “Hongfang,” “Lin,” or a combination of those names revealed no one by that name registered as a licensed massage therapist or business owner.
Rough Draft filed an open records request with the city to obtain 7 Massage’s business license.