Oshkosh massage parlor closed after prostitution arrest

An Oshkosh massage parlor has been shut down after a joint operation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security led police to arrest a 50-year-old woman from China for prostitution at the business.

Four Seasons Massage, 1040 S. Koeller St., was closed Monday, with a sign on the door, indicating the building's landlord, Livesey Co., "has taken possession of the premises." Jeff Livesey, a leasing representative and owner of the Middleton-based company, declined to comment on the matter when contacted Monday by Oshkosh Northwestern Media.

As part of a joint investigation with Homeland Security, the Oshkosh Police Department arrested the woman, who was living in Oshkosh with a U.S. employment authorization card. After arresting the woman, Oshkosh police detectives then contacted Homeland Security agents, who interviewed her, said Officer Joe Nichols, a police department spokesman.

The Department of Homeland Security also did not respond Monday to a request for comment on the investigation.

As of Monday afternoon, the woman had not appeared in Winnebago County Circuit Court and remained at the jail.

Police are requesting local prostitution charges against the woman, though investigators are working with Homeland Security agents to determine whether federal sanctions, including possible deportation, are appropriate, Nichols said.

Authorities also are investigating whether the woman is a potential victim of sex trafficking, Nichols said.

Nathaniel Shuda: (920) 426-6632 or nshuda@thenorthwestern.com; on Twitter @onwnshuda.