Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – A multiagency raid on a local massage parlor resulted in the arrest of its owner following an investigation into allegations of sexual assault and prostitution, according to the Jonesboro Police Department.
Na Li, the owner and business manager of Tree Massage, was taken into custody and faces a charge of second-degree promoting prostitution. She will be booked into the Craighead County Detention Center.
The investigation into the business, located at 5510 Southwest Drive, began in February after the Jonesboro Police Department received a complaint that had originally been submitted to the FBI.
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According to police reports, a female customer reported that during a session at Tree Massage, a masseur repeatedly touched her inappropriately and ignored multiple demands to stop. The woman further alleged that the masseur burned her with hot stones—a service she had not requested—and became upset when she refused to leave a tip.
Following the complaint, authorities placed the business under surveillance. Investigators noted that the parlor operated seven days a week with extended hours, was staffed exclusively by Asian females, and that employees appeared to be living inside the commercial space.
In April, investigators interviewed a man observed spending about an hour inside the establishment. The individual reportedly confirmed to police that the parlor routinely offered additional illicit services in exchange for compensation and tips.
On Thursday morning, a special operation was executed at the Southwest Drive location. Due to the complexities of the case, the Jonesboro Police Department was assisted by a coalition of local, federal and victim-advocacy organizations, including the Arkansas State University Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Jonesboro Police SWAT team.
Advocates from Hope Found and the Family Crisis Center were also on-site to assist. According to the police, the case is still under investigation.
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