Three businesses in Edmonton have been forced to shut down by city police who allege there were sexual activities being exchanged for cash inside.
The Vegas Spa at 10536 – 101 St., the Kingsway Spa at 10408 – 118 Ave., and Escape and Relax Massage at 6510 – 118 Ave. are now shut down after police conducted a two-month investigation.
Police say the investigation kicked off in April when city cops received a tip about a suspected bawdy house that was operating under a city massage parlour licence near 105 Avenue and 101 Street.
A search warrant at the business and the owner’s home near 112 Street and 104 Avenue also led investigators to search two businesses along 118 Avenue and lay charges, police said.
And as investigators were conducting a search warrant at Vegas Spa, they caught a suspect who was allegedly sexually assaulting one of the female employees inside, said police.
“We have a vice section that will investigate these types of establishments when complaints come forward,” said Karen Carlson, a police spokeswoman.
“If someone suspects that an establishment are doing things they are not supposed to be doing, then they need to call police.”
Hermes John Temraz, 43, was charged of being found in a common bawdy house and sexual assault.
Pierre Lussaint, 54, was charged with three counts of keeping a common bawdy house and one count of living off the avails of prostitution.
Lussaint was scheduled to make a court appearance on Friday.
