Olympia foot spa manager arrested for promoting prostitution, police say
The manager of a foot massage spa was arrested on suspicion of multiple crimes Tuesday, including promoting prostitution in the first degree, after one of her employees refused to perform a sexual favor for a customer, according to Olympia police.
About 6:30 p.m., police were called to the 100 block of Decatur Street Northwest after a 38-year-old woman reported that her 58-year-old female manager was threatening her because she would not participate in prostitution, Lt. Paul Lower said Wednesday.
Police arrived and could hear yelling and screaming from outside the business, and then entered it and could hear more of the same coming from a back room, Lower said.
Police encountered a language barrier; however, officer body-worn cameras have the ability to do some rudimentary translation, Lower said.
Police interviewed the woman who allegedly said that a customer came in and tried to solicit a sexual favor from her, but she refused. Her manager then became angry and allegedly assaulted the woman.
Police reported seeing a large red mark across her chest, Lower said.
The manager allegedly told the woman that prostitution was part of her job because that’s the only way the business makes money, Lower said.
The victim started working at the business five days ago and was able to live there for $30 a night, Lower said.
Although one person was arrested on Monday, Lower said the incident remains open and detectives are continuing to investigate.
