Tewksbury massage parlor was alleged front for hookers - Lowell Sun

[massage]

Wan Li
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LOWELL -- The owner of HK Bodyworks has been charged with using her massage parlor on Main Street in Tewksbury as a front for prostitution.

In Lowell District Court on Monday, Cheung Wan Li, 50, of 25 James O'Neill St., Apt. 501, Boston, was released on personal recognizance after pleading not guilty to keeping a house of prostitution and sexual conduct for a fee.

Defense attorney Jack P. Milgram, of Quincy, offered no comment on Li's behalf.

Tewksbury police say they began receiving complaints last month of an unusual amount of foot traffic in a large multi-unit building at 853 Main St. The building houses several businesses, including a hair dressing salon, a dance studio, a breakfast restaurant, an insurance company and a massage parlor, HK Bodyworks, in Suite 200.

On Dec. 18, Tewksbury police located on the web site "Backpage," posted by HK Bodyworks offering "body work by lovely Asian girls." Police set up a sting by calling the phone number listed in the ad to set up a massage for later that day.

An undercover detective wore a wire and was provided with $120 in marked money. The detective was directed to Suite 200 as a team of other detectives set up outside.

Once inside, the detective met with Li, the owner of HK Bodyworks, who led the detective to a rear bedroom. A one hour massage would cost $60. During the massage, Li allegedly told the detective that she owns the business, which he has had in this location for three months after leaving a site near the Lowell line.


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After 15 minutes the detective asked the cost of a sex act. She responded by saying she doesn't do that at her shop. However, when the detective turned onto his back and tried to cover himself with a towel, Li allegedly agree to provide a sexual service for $50. Once she accepted the cash, Li was arrested.

When police checked Li's criminal record they found she was arrested in July on a charge of sexual conduct for a fee in Malden District Court and the same charge that was dismissed in 2013.

Li is due back in court Feb. 2 for pretrial conference.

Follow Lisa Redmond on Tout and Twitter@lredmond13_lisa.

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