Family Crime Ring Busted for Operating Massage Parlor Brothels
A Chinese family has been convicted of running an extensive pimping and human trafficking operation out of multiple massage parlors in Ventura County.
Four members of a family have been found guilty of operating a large-scale pimping and human trafficking ring that used massage parlors as fronts for illegal sexual activity for over a decade. The Ventura County District Attorney's office announced the convictions on September 24 and 29, following a jury trial.
The family members convicted are Xiangwei Ma, 56, her husband Ming Ma, 40, her brother Xiangdong Ma, 54, and her sister Li Ma, 60. Prosecutors allege that Xiangwei Ma was the ringleader of the operation.
The investigation into the family's activities began in 2020 after law enforcement agencies received anonymous letters detailing alleged prostitution and human trafficking at several Ventura County massage businesses, including Miracle Massage in Ventura and A+ Massage in Port Hueneme. Investigators determined that the family recruited and exploited women from China, forcing them into commercial sex work.
In addition to facilitating prostitution, the family is accused of moving and concealing at least $1.25 million in prostitution profits. This money laundering allegedly occurred through financial institutions, life insurance policies, casinos, and real estate transactions. Prosecutors are seeking to seize these assets.
Xiangwei Ma has a prior conviction for attempted pandering in Los Angeles County, for which she served an 18-month prison sentence. While she was incarcerated, prosecutors claim other family members managed the brothels. After her release, Xiangwei Ma allegedly resumed control and used individuals as straw owners to hide her involvement in businesses and real estate.
One alleged money-laundering scheme involved a property on Crowne Oak Lane in Simi Valley, where Xiangwei Ma reportedly misrepresented her employment and income while attempting a short sale.
All four convicted family members were taken into custody at the Ventura County Jail. They are scheduled for sentencing later this month and in November.
Xiangwei Ma faces a potential 17-year prison sentence for charges including pimping, mortgage fraud, and money laundering. Xiangdong Ma faces 13 years, Li Ma faces eight years, and Ming Ma faces 11 years, all for pimping and money laundering charges.
A fifth defendant, Jaime Calderon, Li Ma’s husband, pleaded guilty to money laundering in August 2023 and received a jail sentence.
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko stated, “Illicit massage businesses are often fronts for human trafficking and pimping where victims are coerced into performing commercial sex work. This case demonstrates our commitment to use the full weight of this office to hold these offenders accountable.”