It had only been open a few months, but after a sting operation resulted in an arrest, the Lotus Wellness Center in the 2000 block of Main Street in Escalon was shut down on July 2.

Escalon Police Department received an anonymous complaint regarding the massage business on Friday, June 27, reporting a concern about possible illegal activities at the site.

Acting on the complaint, Officer Benjamin Harrison organized and executed a sting operation on Wednesday, July 2, including Escalon officers who conducted the operation. The undercover officer was propositioned, and Escalon Police Department officers subsequently arrested the employee.

“This is the first one that has opened here in a long time,” Police Chief Anthony Hardgraves said of the massage business.

Listed hours on the business website are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, offering both 30- and 60-minute sessions.

The chief noted that the city ordinance regarding massage businesses is “very restrictive” in that, along with the business owner having to procure a business license from the city, every individual masseuse must also apply for and get their own business license, going through the background check process.

“The owner did not work there,” Hardgraves explained, adding that the subject arrested was a designated manager. The 53-year-old female masseuse was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of solicitation of prostitution as a result of the sting operation.

She was initially booked at San Joaquin County Jail but has since been released, pending further court action.

“We are still looking into it,” Hardgraves added of the Lotus Wellness Center operation, “but the massage establishment has been shut down.”

The chief said EPD has permanently revoked the center’s business license, and they may no longer operate in Escalon.