| For Immediate Release Case# 14HF2390
September 4, 2014 |
WOMAN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR PIMPING AND PANDERING FOUR WOMEN OUT OF THREE BROTHELS DISGUISED AS MASSAGE PARLORS
SANTA ANA – A woman is scheduled to be arraigned today for pimping and pandering four women out of three brothels disguised as massage parlors. Nga Thuy Tran, 45, Lake Forest, is charged with four felony counts each of pimping and pandering by procuring. If convicted, Tran faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison. The People will be requesting she be held on $200,000 at her arraignment today in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.
Circumstances of the Case
Between September 2011 and September 2014, Tran is accused of operating three brothels disguised as massage parlors in Irvine, Lake Forest, and Stanton. Tran is accused of operating the three brothels by using a home, renting a small business space, and a storage unit. The defendant is accused of posting advertisements on websites known for prostitution.
Tran is accused of pandering 42-year-old Jane Doe #1, 24-year-old Jane Doe #2, 20-year-old Jane Doe #3, and 19-year-old Jane Doe #4 by illegally hiring and training the victims on how to perform commercial sex acts and providing them with condoms and lubricant. She is accused of pimping the victims by collecting a portion of the earnings they made from performing commercial sex services.
On Sept. 2, 2014, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) arrested the defendant. The Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) investigated this case.
Members of OCHTTF and the Orange County District Attorney’s (OCDA) Office work proactively to protect women and minors from falling victim to commercial sexual exploitation. This case was investigated by OCHTTF, a partnership between APD, California Highway Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Huntington Beach Police Department, OCDA, OCSD, and community and non-profit partners.
Deputy District Attorney Brad Schoenleben of the HEAT Unit is prosecuting this case.