King County deputies seeing increase in human trafficking reports

A 39-year-old woman has been arrested after Renton police say she held a woman against her will and sexually exploited her at a massage parlor.

According to the victim, she accepted what she thought was a legitimate offer of employment from Q Spa at 4508 NE 4th Street. When she showed up, she said they wouldn't let her leave and told her she was expected to perform sexual services for clients. 

The victim was able to leave and immediately called 911. 

The Renton Police Department's Special Enforcement Team, Direct Enforcement Team and Valley SWAT team served a search warrant at the spa on Wednesday and arrested one woman. She was charged with first-degree attempted promoting prostitution and unlawful imprisonment. 

Neighbors told FOX 13 that they weren't entirely surprised with the news of the arrest. 

"There's a blue pick-up sitting up there and the passenger female was providing some sexual services to the gentleman and we’ve actually seen that vehicle here quite often unfortunately and a few others," said neighbor Brandy Simis. "After they had finished, I actually walked outside right past the vehicle, past the passenger window, and watched her being paid."

While an arrest has been made for the recent incident at Q Spa, sheriff's deputies say the case is far from closed.

Since the start of the pandemic, the King County Sheriff's Office says there has been an increase in human trafficking reports and cases, which includes sex trafficking, labor trafficking and domestic trafficking involving children. 

"Traffickers are doing things that are taking people across straight lines or dealing with different states or even internationally. And when you look at Seattle—we’re a port city and we’re also very close to the border of Canada, which also compounds or brings additional challenges into that human trafficking aspect," said Sgt. Corbett Ford with the KCSO. 

If anyone has additional information on this case or the spa, contact Det. Braun at mbraun@rentonwa.gov