Bradenton massage parlor owner arrested on human trafficking charges, deputies say

The alleged owner of an “illicit massage parlor” in Manatee County is the latest in a string of human trafficking arrests in the area.

Investigators say Lina Payne, 52, ran a human trafficking and prostitution ring out of her business Latin Relaxation on Cortez Road in Bradenton, in addition to other illegal massage parlors in Sarasota and Hillsborough County.

Detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested Payne on June 3 and charged her with human trafficking, deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, racketeering and money laundering, according to the sheriff’s office website.

Investigators said Payne would recruit women from South America and loan them money to come work in the United States as a massage therapist at one of her spas, when in reality it was a prostitution ring where they would be forced to repay their debt.

Payne’s business and her associates had been the subject of an extensive multi-agency human trafficking investigation involving the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security, according to court documents.

The investigation looked at several properties detectives said were owned by Payne, including Latin Relaxation in Bradenton, Jackpot Massage in Sarasota, and Bare All Body Waxing and Expose Barbershop in Tampa.

Bradenton massage parlor owner arrested

Payne’s attorney did not immediately respond to the Bradenton Herald’s request for comment.

Latin Relaxation has operated under various “adult entertainment names” with different owners at least as far back as 2001, detectives say.

In February 2021, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division received a Crime Stoppers tip that included a possible human trafficking and prostitution ring at the Cortez massage parlor, according to an affidavit.

Detectives say they identified Payne as the owner and investigations revealed evidence of illicit activity at the 1,024-square-foot business.

When an undercover detective first arrived, they said a woman responding to an ad posted by Latin Relaxation also arrived asking about the different prices for services offered.

The ad listed services “for men only” as body relaxation, body scrub, body pampering and full grooming for a total price of $220, according to an affidavit.

Cortez Road business sold sex work, sheriff says

When detectives with the sheriff’s office entered Latin Relaxation with a search warrant in September 2023, they said there were no massage tables at the business which “purportedly operates” as a spa, aroma therapy and massage parlor.

Instead, detectives said they found rooms filled with beds and neon lighting, towel warmers, lotions and multiple condom packages. In one of the rooms, detectives say they found a used condom inside a trash can.

Several envelopes containing cash to pay employees were also found inside a cardboard box, according to an affidavit.

The envelopes, investigators say, were wrapped in the middle of folded paper that appeared to be sign-in logs with the date, the customer’s name, the attendant, the form of payment and the total paid.

All payments were made in cash and Latin Spa’s “massage therapists” were paid $80 per service, detectives said.

The sign-in logs showed the business operating during early morning hours between midnight and 5 a.m., investigators say.

Between the envelopes and loose cash at the business, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office seized $8,212 from the business that day.

None of the employees the detective talked to that day had a massage therapist license, the sheriff’s office said.

Further investigation showed Lina Payne appearing in ads on websites that help users find “escorts, strip clubs and sex shops,” according to an affidavit. Detectives also said they saw reviews on sex-oriented websites from customers saying they had paid for sex work from Latin Relaxation.

Detectives also spoke to a patron after setting up surveillance in the business’ parking lot who said he received illicit services after paying $220, according to arrest records.

Others charged in human trafficking investigation

Payne’s arrest is one of several arrests in connection to an investigation into the illegal business, deputies say.

Sebastian Jurado, 27, Santiago Moreno, 53, and Lina Payne’s 29-year-old son Andres Payne were also recently arrested and accused of participating in her criminal participating in her enterprise, according to court records.

As of Thursday evening, Jurado and Lina Payne remain in jail, while Santiago Moreno and Andres Payne were released after posting bond, according to court records.

In May, detectives with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office also arrested 56-year-old Karen McGlynn, who they say managed some of Lina Payne’s locations, such as Latin Relaxation, 1417 Cortez Road, and Jackpot Spa, 7446 N. Tamiami Trail.

Data from cell phones revealed several conversations between McGlynn and Lina Payne about ads posted on adult websites known for “solicitation of sexual activity,” according to arrest records.

Another conversation saw McGlynn send Lina Payne photographs of four different women who she said were interested in working for her, according to arrest records.

Court records show a motion was filed on June 3 to hand McGlynn’s case over to statewide prosecutors.

McGlynn was released from jail on June 6, according to the sheriff’s office website.

Deputies crack down on human trafficking reports

Latin Relaxation was previously the subject of a human trafficking sting in October when an employee at the massage parlor was charged with deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution.

Operation Refuge, a “multi-faceted human trafficking operation” resulted in 17 arrests as part of a crackdown on local massage parlors, alleged sex workers and several men who the sheriff’s office said sought out sex with minors.

Investigators also said they received a call for help from a worker from inside the Bradenton massage parlor in July.

The woman, who was Spanish-speaking and identified herself as “Karen,” said that she was working at the business against her will to pay someone back and also provided the names of Lina Payne’s two other Tampa businesses.

But when deputies arrived, “Karen” was gone and could not be found, according to court documents.

Surveillance footage acquired by the sheriff’s office from surrounding businesses captured a woman leaving the massage parlor after the 911 call was made but before deputies arrived, investigators say.

When questioned by law enforcement, an employee told detectives that she didn’t know anyone by the name of “Karen” and said she had been asleep when she was woken by an unknown woman who told her she would be “leaving to run errands and to lock the door behind her,” according to court documents.

Detectives said the employee told them the woman did not appear “to be under any type of duress.”

When deputies spoke with Lina Payne after she arrived, she denied allegations that anyone was working there against their will and also denied breaking any laws, according to an affidavit.

Law enforcement officials have received several tips about Latin Relaxation over the years, according to court documents.

Much of the alleged illicit activity at the four locations happened under the premise of a massage at a parlor or a shave at a barbershop, according to detectives.

One of the services offered on Latin Relaxation’s website is a $220 face shave involving two employees.

Investigators say Lina Payne, who is facing racketeering charges among several others, made several hundred thousand dollars off illicit activity. According to public records, she appeared in court for a hearing on Monday.