The victims identified so far are all female Chinese nationals who came to the U.S. by legitimate means, such as work or school visas, according to officials. “They get here and unwittingly enter this basically modern-day slavery situation,” said Captain Garo Kuredjian, media-relations officer for the Ventura sheriff’s office.
Five people were arrested on suspicion of running a San Gabriel Valley-based sex trafficking ring that operated from San Diego to Fresno, authorities said Tuesday.
The five are suspected of forcing at least 28 victims, all Chinese nationals, into prostitution in nine counties across Central and Southern California, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
Hsin Chieh “Jerry” Wang, 40, of Covina, was accused of heading the organization. Officials allege that his sister, Yiwen Wang, 42, also of Covina, laundered money obtained from the sex trade.
Jiuyin Cui, 63, of Rosemead, and Runan Xia, 32, of Alhambra, were accused of taking clients to and from hotels and motels where the victims stayed, and Defung Hu, 33, of San Gabriel, allegedly coordinated the illicit appointments, according to detectives.
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