In February 2009, the Lower Providence Township Police Department began an investigation into the activities of Richard Frisco, who was operating an unlicensed massage parlor from his residence in the 3800 block of Monitor Drive, in the Collegeville section of Lower Providence Township.
During a search warrant, detectives found a hidden camera in Frisco's massage room. The camera was connected to a television in Frisco's room. THey also recovered numerous VHS tapes and pornographic material.
Lower Providence Township Police Department detectives subsequently reviewed the VHS tapes and learned that Frisco's clients were being secretly video recorded while undressing in the massage room. In addition, some of the clients were indecently assaulted and/or secretly photographed while receiving massages from Frisco. In the course of the investigation, the clients were identified and interviewed and each indicated they were not aware they were being video recorded nor had they given permission for Frisco to record them.
In April 2009, another search warrant was executed at Frisco's residence. During this searc,h a computer was seized. A subsequent examination of the computer uncovered child pornography.
During the time Frisco was operating his unlicensed massage business in his residence, an unlicensed day care business was also being conducted in his home. The Lower Providence Township Code Enforcement Department subsequently issued a cease and desist order for the day care facility in March 2009.
The defendant was arraigned this afternoon and bail was set at $50,000. The preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 18, 2009 at 2:15 pm.
