| For Immediate Release March 22, 2007 |
Contact: Susan Kang Schroeder Farrah Emami |
3-YEAR, MULTI-AGENCY INVESTIGATION BUSTS SIX IN PIMPING CONSPIRACY AND 10 BROTHEL BUSINESSES IN FIVE CITIES
*Joint investigation by the Anaheim Police Department, Orange County District Attorney, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement results in six arrests
FULLERTON – Six defendants have been arrested and charged in a pimping conspiracy involving the operation of 10 brothels in five cities throughout Orange County and the Inland Empire. The Anaheim Police Department (APD), Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a 3-year investigation into an enterprise in which Chinese national prostitutes were pimped from business locations that were advertised as “massage parlors” and “acupuncture clinics.” This joint effort between federal and state law enforcement is the largest Orange County bust of brothels being run by the same defendants. Deputy District Attorney Scott Steiner of the Felony Projects Unit is prosecuting this case.
Other agency that assisted with the investigation and/or serving of search warrants include the Alhambra Police Department, Montebello Police Department, Monterey Park Police Department, Orange Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Riverside County District Attorney, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Ana Police Department, and Tustin Police Department.
The Defendants
Jian Shi, 49, Montebello, Guo Hua Chen, 56, Monterey Park, and Hong Jun Bai, 42, Rowland Heights, are charged with felony pimping and conspiracy to commit the crime of pimping. Shi, Chen, and Bai face a maximum of six years in prison if convicted and are being held without bail on ICE immigration holds.
John Couch, 46, San Clemente, is charged with felonies for conspiring to commit the crime of pimping and being a felon in possession of a firearm, and misdemeanor keeping a house of ill fame. He faces a maximum of six years and eight months if convicted.