CLARKSVILLE —
A Clarksville massage parlor was shut down Friday after an investigation revealed the business was not properly licensed.
Clarksville Police Department Chief of Detectives Darrell Rayborn said the business — located at 1455 Cedar Street Suite D — is identified on a lease agreement as “Natural Healing of Kentuckiana.” Jeana Kaufman, 37, is listed on the lease as the owner. Her husband, Ivan Deleon, 36, was identified as the manager.
The couple from Floyds Knobs owned My Studio 1501 on North Shore Drive in Jeffersonville until it was shut down after five employees were arrested for prostitution during an undercover police sting in August. Clarksville police have received complaints of similar activity at the Cedar Street location, but Rayborn said nothing has been confirmed.
A Clarksville ordinance prohibits anyone from providing massages without a license, and Rayborn said they learned an unlicensed massage parlor was located on Cedar Street. Clarksville detectives entered the business Friday afternoon with Clarksville Building Commissioner Ilpo Majuri and Building Inspector Code Enforcement Fred Hall.
Eight female workers and one male customer, along with Deleon and Kaufman, were in the business when police arrived.
Rayborn said Deleon and Kaufman claimed they did not know they needed a license because they provide “light-touch massage.” The women at My Studio 1501, which was advertised as a “light-touch massage parlor,” were not licensed massage therapists. Police said they claimed they did not offer full massages that would require a license.
However, the Clarksville ordinance has a broad definition of a massage therapist, and Rayborn said that would include any type of touching.
In order to receive a Clarksville permit, a massage therapy business must be inspected and meet nine requirement. One requirement is that a sign must be posted at the main entrance identifying it as a massage establishment. There is no sign in front of the Cedar Street suite.
After confirming the business is not licensed, Majuri posted “stop work” notices at each entrance to the business suite. Anyone that violates the town ordinance could face a fine of $2,500. A hearing on the matter will be scheduled in Clarksville Town Court.
Five women who worked at My Studio 1501 still have pending charges for class A misdemeanor prostitution. According to court documents, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers set up appointments with the women, and some allegedly offered to have sex with them or perform sexual acts for money.
The Jeffersonville Police Department secured search warrants and went into the business the next day. The facility included a shower and sauna, and police found condoms and “sex devices.” Police say some of the women were even taken for home visits.
A “client list” with about 400 names and phone numbers of VIP clients was also found as well as documentation identifying JPD officers and showing descriptions of undercover police vehicles.
Clark County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Jeremy Mull said Deleon and Kaufman will face charges related to My Studio 1501.
“The prosecutor’s office is in the finishing stages of obtaining additional investigative records, but charges will be forthcoming soon,” he said.
Rayborn said the massage parlor in Clarksville is not a criminal matter at this time. However, police plan to interview the women found working there.
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Related Photos
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Clarksville Building Commissioner Ilpo Majuri tapes a “stop work” notice on the front entrance at Natural Healing of Kentuckiana at 1455 Cedar Street Suite D on Friday afternoon. An investigation revealed the business did not have the proper license for a massage parlor in Clarksville. Staff Photo by Matt Thacker
Discussion
February 3, 2012
Clarksville authorities close unlicensed massage parlor
Business linked to alleged Jeffersonville prostitution ring
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