Madam's warrant: Massage workers forced to pay off transport to U.S.
Ashley MottA warrant filed in 4th Judicial District Court for the alleged madam of a prostitution ring operating at multiple massage parlors provides additional details about the treatment of workers at locations.
It also details the undercover operation and how the employees attempted to provide additional services to visitors.
Through information gathered from an outside source, the WMPD was informed Asian females were being transported from South Korea, China and Thailand for about $40,000 and forced to work off their debts within one year by working as massage employees.
More:Workers from 2 WM Chinese massage parlors arrested in prostitution sting
The warrant, filed for Haiping Sun, age 45, Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Shreveport, states the employees were released from the contract after one year. In the interim time they were reportedly kept in a residence or made to stay at the massage parlors.
According to the file, customers provided a cash tip for the additional services. However, the workers received no compensation as they worked off the debt. Customers were nude with or without a towel covering for the entire massage.
According to the warrant, detectives learned both China Massage and Spa at 207 Blanchard Street and the Shangri-La Spa were operating in tandem.
Independent witnesses, surveillance and undercover officers determined illegal activities were taking place at the businesses. Both advertised in a sexual manner on online websites commonly associated with sex and prostitution.
Workers at the Shangri-La Spa lived at the business and worked 12 hours each day for seven days a week. The only time employees were observed outside the business, according to the warrant, was when they would shop for groceries.
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"The employees are sexually stimulating the customers for money and are being managed and controlled for a money profit," the warrant states. "Through surveillance, only male customers have been seen frequenting this location. This location is being used to maintain a place of prostitution."
Per the report, the China Massage and Spa workers all lived in one small apartment on at 106 Parkwest Drive and also may have lived at the business. They were reportedly transported to work by management.
A confidential source told detectives that Sun was the leader of the operation. When Sun visited town, the warrant states, the employees all acted very submissive, keeping their heads down, not making eye contact and not speaking until spoken to by Sun.
Sun reportedly paid the rent on the Parkwest apartment, purchased online ads for the illegal businesses and is listed as the registered owner of the China Massage and Spa.
The warrant states she is also the owner of multiple massage parlors in the Bossier and Shreveport area as well as in south Louisiana.
When Sun faced charges connected with those massage parlors, the warrant states she migrated to West Monroe.
Read more about the arrests and Sun's criminal history: Client info found in WM massage parlor probe
The Sting Operation
In a January undercover operation, an officer entered one of the massage parlors and paid $60 for a massage. As the worker moved through the massage, the officer's genitals were lightly touched, and he attempted to adjust his position on the table. The employee then temporarily stopped the contact.
As the massage progressed, the worker then aggressively twisted the officer's genitals before making a motion he believed indicated the start of oral sex. He stopped the action and explained he did not want any trouble.
The worker encouraged the undercover officer to "shh" and used a phone translator to decipher his words before starting the massage again.
When the employee attempted to grab the officer's genitals again, the officer dressed and left the business.
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