SALEM, MA — Three people were arrested following a three-month investigation into suspected human trafficking and prostitution-related activities at businesses in the city.
Detectives assigned to the Salem Police Criminal Investigation Division investigated several businesses advertising “bodywork,” “reflexology,” and “spa” services.
On April 17, detectives executed multiple search warrants at 133 Boston Street, operating as “New Custom Body Work,” and 116A Boston Street, operating as “Red Rose Reflexology.”
Peter Leavitt, 57, of Peabody; Fang Liu, 52, of Peabody; and Barry St. Onge, 64, of Shrewsbury were taken into custody.
Each will be charged with trafficking of a person for sexual servitude, deriving support from prostitution, and keeping a house of prostitution.
Detectives worked in coordination with officers from the Community Impact Unit and the department’s Victim Services Unit.
The investigation was conducted with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police Human Trafficking Division within the State Attorney General’s Office, the Essex County District Attorney’s Office and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department.
Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller stated, “We see this as much a rescue operation as it is a criminal investigation. The exploitation of victims of human trafficking will not be tolerated in the city of Salem.”
