LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A two-year investigation into human trafficking and money laundering has resulted in four arrests, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department announced in a press release Friday morning.
LVMPD detectives worked with the FBI on the investigation, which officials say led to the discovery of a transnational money laundering operation through massage parlor brothels.
"These brothels would operate as massage businesses but would also conduct illegal criminal activity such as soliciting sex acts from customers," officials stated.
According to police, those businesses included Midnight Rose Spa on east Desert Inn Road, Jones Station Karaoke & Bar near Jones Boulevard and Spring Mountain Road, and Young Spa on east Flamingo Road near Maryland Parkway.
The four people arrested for operating these businesses face several felony charges, including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and use of facilities of interstate commerce for a racketeering enterprise.
They were identified as follows:
- Hua Xiao, a 35-year-old Chinese national
- Cheng Cheng Li, a 41-year-old Chinese national
- Jianming Li, a 53-year-old Chinese national
- Jisup Hwang, a 27-year-old South Korean national
Police note that Jisup was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service in California and will be booked into a federal detention center. Hua, Cheng and Jianming were booked into the Henderson Detention Center.
"Human trafficking remains a priority for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department," Sheriff Kevin McMahill stated in the prepared release. "With the assistance of our federal partners, we are committed to protecting those vulnerable individuals who are victims of human trafficking and bringing to justice those who commit these crimes."
FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto wrote that the arrests highlight "the necessity for a sustained law enforcement effort across all levels to dismantle and thoroughly investigate the organized criminal enterprises behind these illegal operations profiting from illicit prostitution."
-
COURT HEARING: Suspect in fatal Smith's shooting enters not guilty plea, held without bail
In court Monday morning, Judge Amy Wilson said that Estrada created extreme danger not only to the victims but to the public with his actions.
Suspect in fatal Smith's shooting enters not guilty plea, held without bail
Alejandro Estrada is facing multiple charges, including open murder with a deadly weapon, eight counts of discharging a gun within a structure and aggravated stalking.
Suspect identified in shooting that led to school lockdowns in North Las Vegas
Jallel Jenkins-Harris will face charges including two counts of attempted murder with a deadly weapon, robbery with a deadly weapon, and assault on a protected person with a deadly weapon
More than 900 items valued at $418K seized by Las Vegas police retail crime team
Police say the investigation ultimately led to the arrest of 49-year-old Roberto Fuentes, who investigators claim would purchase stolen goods and then resell them through different online platforms.
