Brothels becoming a real problem in WNY

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) - Suspected brothels are being shut down, exposing the dark world of sex slavery right here in western New York.

There are a lot of different images and assumptions associated with prostitution. But the truth is many of these women are trapped against their will as part of human trafficking rings.

The online ads tell you one thing: a woman is in town, looking for fun. But Katie Rhodes has been the woman behind those ads. And she says the truth is horrifying.

"It was my photo on the picture and 'come see me' when it was actually the pimp controlling the situation," she said.

She was just 12 when she got into the sex trade. Before long she was addicted to drugs and too ashamed to ask family for help getting out.

"There's times I still look over my shoulder. And it's ten years later," she said. "My entire life changed because of that experience."

Rhodes shared her story at Hilbert College in Hamburg to raise awareness of sex trafficking. The difference between prostitution and trafficking is when a third party, like a pimp or a human trafficker, exploits the victim with force fraud or coercion.

>> See our full interview with Katie Rhodes here

It's a huge problem in western New York, because of the proximity to Canada and New York City. Deputy Elizabeth Fildes says it's especially a problem with women brought into the U.S.

"A lot of times these victims are brought here under the pretense they're doing another job. For example, you're coming to the United States and you'll be working at a restaurant," Det. Fildes explained.

Many of these victims come from Asian countries and were promised a better life in America.

"Then the trafficker or the contractor will tell them, 'You're not making enough money in the restaurant work, so we're going to put you somewhere else.' [Which] could be a brothel,' said Det. Fildes.

The detective heads the regional human trafficking task force. They work to break up these brothels, which pop up using a deceptive storefronts.

"We know it's happening, not just in the city, but also in suburban areas where we see these massage parlors," she noted.

A concerned viewer who doesn't want this activity in his backyard contacted News 4 and our investigation uncovered an advertised spa, apparently frequented only by middle-aged men. And that investigation led to a bust.

The Craiglist ad offered "top quality Asian bodywork." We went undercover to check it out. The building was completely unmarked except for an unlit "open" sign. The windows were blacked out. And we witnessed nothing but middle-aged men coming in and out.

Sex counselor Carol Conklin says those often-married men are the top demographic frequenting illegal brothels.

"This thrill-seeking and risk-taking and fact it's illegal increases the thrill of it," she said.

We returned just days later to find the Cheektowaga location completely vacated. We talked with police, who told News 4 they suspected it was a brothel. But the tenants moved out on their own after the building inspector questioned them.

Our investigation didn't stop there.

We dug into several online sites and message boards that list massage parlors promising more than a massage. That led us to "Rose Spa" in Amherst on Niagara Falls Boulevard.

The woman are friendly and speak very little English. They ask for cash up front before leading our producer into a room. They begin the massage. That, according to online posts, is where the sexual proposition usually takes place.

We brought what we had learned to Amherst Police and they took the investigation even further.

Town of Amherst Police Lt. Ted DiNoto said, "There were times an undercover was propositioned for sex acts."

Our News 4 undercover agent was not propositioned, but the police had a different experience. They tell News 4 one of the women made a lewd gesture and propositioned him. That was enough for an arrest.

Police served a search warrant on Rose Spa and arrested one woman on the spot on prostitution charges. They say they expect to bust more people.

Two suspected "Johns" were inside when police went in. Police are protecting their identities because they may have crucial information needed for the investigation.

"Along with unlicensed massages, they were also performing sexual conduct in this establishment for money," said Lt. DiNoto.

So what signs do police look for to determine if something more than a massage is going on inside certain businesses?

• No massage licenses posted.
• Employees speak little or no English.
• Clients are all men.

It's a huge problem in Buffalo's suburbs and cops say to shut them all down, it takes the help of concerned citizens who say "not in my backyard."

Lt. DiNoto said, "This is a problem across the country, I would say. But as soon as we get the information on it, we come in and deal with it this way."