Police: Five provided unlicensed massages, sexual favors
Published 11:58 am Monday, January 5, 2015
- Amy Honeycutt
Five women have been charged after authorities said they provided massages and sex at two unlicensed parlors. The charges follow an undercover operation by the Salisbury Police Department.
Police say they seized detailed records from the business and will be looking to contact clients.
Police started investigating after getting a tip that employees at the Original Hott Pink Therapeutic Spa Inc., 420 W. D Ave., were providing unlicensed massages.
The department’s narcotics unit conducted the operation and during the investigation discovered the women there were offering sexual favors as well, police said. More charges are possible, police said.
The spa was located at the duplex apartment on D Avenue where the owner lived.
Police charged Krista Carter, 23, of the 1300 block of Percy Lane, Rockwell, on Dec. 31 with misdemeanor practicing massage therapy without a license. She was issued a $10,000 secured bond and has since been released from the Rowan County Detention Center.
Mary Elizabeth Barnett, 30, of the 3000 block of Mooresville Road, was charged with misdemeanor practicing massage therapy without a license. She was issued a $10,000 secured bond and has since been released from the county jail.
Amy Jo Honeycutt, 46, of the 400 block of West D Avenue, was charged with misdemeanor practicing massage therapy without a license. She was issued a $2,000 secured bond. Honeycutt is the owner of the spa and a former employee of the Foxy Lady, an adult night club.
Brittany Lucas Morris, 26, of the 100 block of Barndance Drive, was charged with misdemeanor practicing massage therapy without a license. She was issued a $1,000 secured bond. Morris has since been released from the county detention center.
April Lynn Upright, 29, of the 1200 block of Steven Drive, was charged with misdemeanor practicing massage therapy without a license, misdemeanor simple possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor probation violation. She was issued a $20,000 secured bond and has been released from the jail. Authorities said Upright had less than one gram of marijuana and syringes in her possession.
Investigators discovered a second location at a business center at 1121 Old Concord Road, Suite 24.
An investigator said prices for services ranged from $60 to $160, depending on the length of time, clothing worn by the employees and services provided.
Police seized records and phones and are working to identify clients who may have received services from the parlors.
The business kept very detailed records, an investigator said.
Officers will be contacting people on the list, but prefer those people contact them.
To contact Sgt. J. Crews, call 704-638-5333.