Rumors swirled about the Washington business, say some who work nearby.
The door to the massage parlor in the center of Washington was locked and the shades drawn Wednesday as a mail carrier walked past.
Staff and patrons of nearby businesses said the darkened state was not unusual for Red Tree Massage Therapist, which authorities allege was a front for prostitution.
A ripped sticker noting some violation is on the door of Red Tree Massage Therapist. (Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com)Nan S. Paek, 67, of Woodbridge, Va., is charged with both promoting and maintaining a house of prostitution, according to charges filed Sept. 30 at state Superior Court in Belvidere. Myung C. Lee, 57, of Fort Lee, is accused of conspiring with Paek.
All are fourth-degree crimes, which can carry a penalty of up to 18 months in prison.
It did not appear that either Paek or Lee were in custody as of Wednesday. A voicemail left at a phone number believed to be for the business was not returned Wednesday morning, and a knock on the door went unanswered. Phone numbers for Lee were either disconnected or went unanswered, and no contact information could be found for Paek.
Washington Township police cover the borough, but deferred comment to the Warren County Prosecutor's Office.
Red Tree Massage Therapist is nestled among businesses lining Route 57 in Washington. (Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com) Red Tree, at 18 West Washington Ave. (Route 57), is nestled between a pizza joint and a chiropractor's office along one of the major roads through the Warren County borough.
Staff and patrons of nearby businesses said the massage parlor had been there less than a year -- Paek registered Red Tree massage as a limited liability company with the state in August 2015, according to online records -- and that they rarely saw people heading in or out.
Amanda Varvar, who works at Domino's next door, said she had heard rumors about goings on at Red Tree, but thought they were just that -- rumors.
"I would talk to them when I came in in the morning. They were really nice," she said. Then about two weeks ago, she said, the police arrived and led someone out in handcuffs.
Another business owner on the block, who declined to be identified, said the shades were often closed at Red Tree. Nobody seemed to know of any illegal activity, "but everybody kind of figured."
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.