MOUNT VERNON — A 2016 human trafficking case in Knox County spurred Councilwoman Amber Keener to sponsor legislation that regulates massage parlors within the city.
Keener said she learned about the case in May.
“I know that that sounds crazy that Mount Vernon and Knox County would deal with human trafficking, but I actually have part of the case file here with me … that shows evidence of where this legislation really came from,” she said.
Police Chief Robert Morgan said the case began with several callers complaining of an unlicensed, unregulated massage parlor operating in the city.
“As the investigation unfolded and our detectives started getting more evidence into it, one of the key components of it was this unlicensed, unregulated part,” Morgan said. “They did not have to have a health department sanitary check; they did not have to have licensure of the people working there.”
Morgan said an Asian family ran the parlor. As the investigation continued, the family left the community.
“We had no names on file, we had no documents from the health department saying the place was run in a clean, sanitary, and proper fashion. … We couldn’t build a case on it,” Morgan said.
Starting the conversation
Keener said she believes the legislation is poorly written and needs to be looked at and “picked apart.”
“The point of this legislation is simply to protect legitimate businesses within our community and also to protect those who are victims of human trafficking,” she said.
However, she said that even though the ordinance is poorly written, it serves as a starting point for a conversation.
Morgan agreed the legislation needs work but said it gives the city oversight of businesses of this type.
“We don’t want to impact any businesses that are legitimate, therapeutic, or even someone who just wants to go get a massage,” he said. “But this type of business is at the forefront of some types of human trafficking.
“If we can do one small part to keep it out of Mount Vernon, I think we should head in that direction.”
Attorney Scott Pullins said that as written, the legislation labels legitimate medical practitioners as unlawful sex workers.
“The very term’ massage parlor’ is an antiquated term with heavy and deep-rooted connotations of sex work and sexism,” he told council.
He noted that massage therapists must take coursework available throughout Ohio or in-county. After graduating, they can apply to the State Medical Board of Ohio.
“The state medical board employs lots of trained investigators and has a sufficient budget to investigate any violations of the rules and state law,” Pullins said.
“The real problem is the unlicensed individuals who, under the guise of massage, are engaging in unlawful sex work. But nowhere does this ordinance actually address that issue.”
Pullins said offering unlawful massage in disguise of sex work is a misdemeanor under city ordinances. He feels the police already have the tools to investigate crimes such as these.
Legislative action
The ordinance was up for a first reading in Monday’s legislative session. Pullins urged council members to table the legislation, saying it is “nonredeemable and wholly unnecessary.”
Council members gave the ordinance a first reading. Keener asked the other council members to review the ordinance and submit comments and suggestions.
She scheduled a 30-minute committee meeting on Oct. 9.