CLAREMORE, Okla. -- A massage parlor in Claremore is still open for business after an employee was recently arrested on a count of soliciting prostitution.
Chunlan Jiang, 42, was arrested Dec. 7 on a count of solicitation of prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church or school at Bamboo Massage on Will Rogers Parkway. She bonded out the next day.
"We got some complaints from some customers that they had been propositioned by the young lady who works there," said Sgt. John Singer, who works with the Detective Division for Claremore Police said.
He said an undercover officer went in posing as a customer and was offered sex acts in exchange for money on the first time he visited. Jiang was arrested that day.
Police documents indicate Jiang appeared to be the only employee in the building at the time, but it is unclear if she owns Bamboo Massage.
Now 20 days later, the signs are lit up on the front windows.
Nearby businesses said the massage parlor has been open since around the time she bonded out of jail.
Sgt. Singer said the business is allowed to be open based on Oklahoma laws.
"This is certainly an odd circumstance that we arrest someone for prostitution out of a business that can remain open and she can go right back to the same business that she was conducting when we arrested her," Singer said.
Currently in Oklahoma, no one, including the police, has the authority to shut down the business.
The only authority, outside of the criminal proceedings, comes from the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology which can take action on Jiang's license.
"If convicted, not just charged but convicted...that person (comes) before the board and the board could possibly revoke, suspend, deny probate... the license," said Sherry Lewelling, the executive director for the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology.
Lewelling did confirm that Jiang was licensed by the state.
The board wants more authority to regulate massage establishments. They want to be able to do checks each year for safety, sanitation and licenses of employees, like they do for the cosmetology and barbering industry. Legislation to increase their authority failed this past year.
The Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology is hoping to get that law passed in the upcoming legislative session.
Jiang was formally charged. She has a hearing in late January.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
