MARYSVILLE—Illicit massage businesses (IMBs) often blend into commercial corridors, tucked between restaurants, salons, and small retail shops, operating in plain sight. In 2025, the Marysville Police Department’s ProAct Team uncovered how deeply these operations had embedded themselves in the community.
In May 2025, Marysville Police received critical intelligence from The Network, a nonprofit organization that combats human trafficking within illicit massage businesses. Their information showed that IMBs in Marysville were connected to a large network operating throughout the region. MPD discovered through victim interviews that certain IMBs were operating as a part of a broader international trafficking network. The ProAct Unit conducted extensive enforcement efforts, including undercover operations, search warrants, community engagement, and a full review of licensing procedures.
Their investigation identified 23 suspected illicit massage businesses operating within city limits. Twenty-one were confirmed illicit and shut down and attempts to reopen under new business names or new addresses were stopped. According to The Network, the Marysville Police Department is the first agency in Snohomish County to adopt an enforcement strategy aimed at the full IMB business structure, including licensing and operations.
Case breakdown and findings:
- 8 Closed by Criminal Investigation
- 5 Closed by Administrative Investigation (Inspection)
- 6 Rejected by Administrative Investigation – Denial of Business License
- 1 Closed by Itself
- 1 Withdrew Request to Open
These businesses were closed through a variety of means including denial of business licensure, criminal investigation, and public safety inspections based on community of observed concerns. Several individuals were arrested on charges including promoting prostitution and permitting prostitution. The investigation revealed that these storefronts were not isolated operations but part of a larger organized system.
Following specialized training at an out of state conference, Marysville’s ProAct officers hosted a regional training event in December of 2025 to share investigative strategies with nearby jurisdictions. Partners included The Network, the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office, a licensed massage therapist, and Marysville Police staff. The goal was to strengthen regional awareness, improve investigative consistency, and help other agencies identify IMB patterns early.
Chief Erik Scairpon said the investigation demonstrated how targeted local action can disrupt a national illicit industry. “Human trafficking networks rely on storefronts that blend into the community. By improving our licensing oversight and coordinating closely with regional partners, we were able to shut down illicit massage businesses and stop attempts to reopen. This investigation shows what local action can accomplish when we stay focused, persistent and committed to protecting people who are often unseen.”
Crime & Intelligence Analyst Emily Dorscher, who supported the operation through intelligence, analysis and information gathering, said “This industry doesn’t exist by accident. The fact that there are over 15,000 IMBs in the United States that generate over $5 billion annually is because of an elaborate business structure mixed with a set of circumstances that we can’t control. As a local agency, we had to find something we could control, and it was through our licensing process.”
The Network’s research also helped illuminate the lived experiences of the women inside these businesses. In 2025, The Network partnered with service providers across multiple states and surveyed 67 Chinese speaking women who had worked in the illicit massage industry. Guided by survivor consultants, the study was one of the first multi-state, survivor informed surveys focused specifically on this population. The findings underscored a critical truth. Law enforcement intervention is the most significant disruptive force in shutting down illicit massage businesses or triggering a job change. When police intervene, women often leave the illicit massage industry.
Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring said community concerns played a key role in driving this work forward. “I have heard from many Marysville residents who were deeply concerned about illicit massage businesses operating in our community. Their voices mattered, and our Police Department responded with urgency, professionalism, and a clear commitment to protecting the people of Marysville. This investigation shows what can happen when community members speak up and our officers take decisive action. I am proud of the ProAct Team and our entire department for their thorough work, and their dedication to ensuring these illicit operations have no place in our city.”
The City and the Marysville Police Department remain committed to preventing illicit enterprises from operating in the community, enforcing laws related to prostitution and trafficking, and connecting victims with resources that support safety and prevent revictimization. The success of this investigation reflects the dedication of the ProAct Unit, the leadership of the Marysville Police Department, and the City’s willingness to strengthen licensing procedures to block IMBs from relocating or reopening under new business names. It also demonstrates the power of survivor-informed research and regional collaboration, showing how local action can disrupt a national industry hiding in plain sight.
Source: City of Marysville
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
