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SOUTH FORSYTH – A masseuse at a south Forsyth massage parlor has been charged with prostitution after the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office conducted an undercover operation on Monday.
On Jan. 23, 44-year-old Eun Kang, an employee of BMB Sauna, solicited sexual acts in exchange for cash from an undercover deputy, said Deputy Doug Rainwater, a spokesman for the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff’s office ordinance and permits unit had reportedly received complaints in reference to possible prostitution taking place at the business, which was confirmed Monday.
Kang was taken to the Forsyth County Jail, where she was later released on a $3,300 cash bond.
The parlor’s owner, Jeoung Gyu Shin, is currently out of state but reportedly agreed to meet with the sheriff’s office when he returns, Rainwater said.
He may be charged with various county ordinance violations, including: employee records must be maintained at the business; customer service records must be kept at the business; employees required to have a permit from the county; employees must be fully clothed; ordinary beds not permitted; and patrons required to use front door.
“Sheriff Ron Freeman has made the enforcement and eradication of any business engaged in illegal sexual activity a priority,” Rainwater said. “He is working with the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners in creating a legal process to revoke the business license of any organization engaged in this type of crime.”
BMB Sauna was one of six massage parlors that were supposed to have permanently closed after a massive undercover sting was conducted by the sheriff’s office in March 2016.
Of the 15 checked during that sweep, 18 citations were issued.
The sting was the result of an ordinance passed by the Board of Commissioners that took effect Jan. 1, 2016 to make it harder for parlors to run businesses not up to county standards and may be covering up illegal activity.
Other aspects of the code require businesses to always have a licensed massage therapist on-site during business hours and prohibit them from displaying tinted or blacked-out windows.
It was not immediately clear whether the parlor was re-closed on Monday.
This story will be updated.
