Shaoping Wen, 65, and her son, Xu Wang, 42, were sentenced on March 18, 2025, for their roles in operating massage parlors that served as fronts for commercial sex operations.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham announced the sentences.
Wen and Wang were indicted in September 2024 for conspiracy to commit interstate travel and use of interstate facilities in aid of racketeering enterprises, and other offenses related to operating illicit massage parlors in Texas and New Mexico, as well as money laundering.
Wen, who owned and operated at least seven such parlors, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison, followed by a one-year term of supervised release. She was also ordered to forfeit $291,990.88 in U.S. currency and pay a money judgment of $1,771,360.
Wang pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony and was sentenced to time served (362 days), followed by a one-year term of supervised release.
Court documents revealed that undercover officers purchased massages at Wen’s parlors on multiple occasions between June 2023 and February 2024. The officers were offered sexual services by lingerie-clad women for additional fees. The women, identified as Chinese citizens, often used translation apps to negotiate services.
Wen or Wang facilitated the payment of cash bonds for women arrested for prostitution. Wen’s vehicle was observed transporting women from the airport to the parlors, where neighbors reported the women rarely left. Searches of the premises revealed living quarters for the women.
The parlors were advertised on websites known for advertising commercial sex, featuring suggestive photos and descriptions of services. A passerby reported hearing a woman scream and observed women dressed provocatively inside one of the parlors.
Searches of the parlors in March 2024 yielded evidence of women residing at the locations, as well as condoms and other items indicative of sexual activity, and approximately $291,990.88 in cash. Casino records showed Wen frequently traveled to California to launder proceeds, cashing out approximately $1,771,360 in casino chips between January 2018 and August 2023.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Lubbock Police Department, with assistance from other agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam prosecuted the case.
