In a recent announcement made by the local prosecutor’s office in Ventura County, California, four members of a Chinese crime syndicate were convicted for their involvement in illegal activities. The prosecution accused them of using massage parlors as fronts for illicit activities, and laundering money through banks, real estate, and casinos.
At the core of the case were Xiangwei Ma, the female leader, her husband Ming Ma, her brother Xiangdong Ma, and her sister Li Ma. They admitted to carrying out a series of organized crimes for unlawful profit.
Xiangwei Ma, 56 years old, had a criminal record and had previously served 18 months in prison in Los Angeles County for attempted pimping. While she was incarcerated, other members continued to run illegal massage parlors. Upon her release, she resumed her illegal activities, personally orchestrating these criminal operations while deliberately concealing her involvement with the businesses and properties.
In the latest case, Xiangwei Ma was convicted of pimping, mortgage fraud, and nine counts of money laundering. The local prosecutor’s office in Ventura County stated that the investigation began in 2020 when multiple law enforcement agencies received anonymous tips alleging that several massage parlors in the county, including Miracle Massage and A+ Massage, were involved in prostitution and human trafficking activities.
After investigations, it was found that the four defendants jointly operated these massage parlors, using legitimate massage services as a cover to recruit and exploit women from China for commercial sex acts to generate substantial illegal profits. These establishments had been in operation for over a decade.
Furthermore, it was discovered that the defendants attempted to conceal and transfer illegal profits through multiple financial institutions, life insurance policies, casinos, and real estate transactions.
The Ventura County jury ultimately found the four defendants guilty of multiple serious charges related to organized crime, including pimping and money laundering. Following the verdict, all four individuals were remanded into custody. Xiangwei Ma and Ming Ma admitted that each criminal act involved premeditation, complex means, or professional operations.
According to the prosecutor, authorities were able to seize over $1.25 million in assets related to the case, including confiscated cash, bank deposits, and the cash value of life insurance policies, based on the defendants’ confessions and the jury’s ruling.
Xiangwei Ma is scheduled to be sentenced on October 23 and faces a maximum prison term of 17 years. Xiangdong Ma was convicted of pimping and five counts of money laundering, facing a maximum sentence of 13 years. Li Ma was convicted of pimping and one count of money laundering and is set to be sentenced on November 2, facing a maximum imprisonment of 8 years and 8 months. Ming Ma was convicted of pimping and two counts of money laundering and is set to be sentenced on November 4, facing a maximum of 11 years and 4 months in prison.
The prosecutor further mentioned that there is a fifth defendant in this case: Li Ma’s husband, Jaime Calderon, who pleaded guilty to money laundering in August 2023 and was sentenced to serve time in the county jail.
Since 2023, the Ventura County local prosecutor’s office has been collaborating with police departments, a special task force on human trafficking, local law enforcement agencies, and municipal governments to crack down on illegal massage establishments operating within the county.
Local prosecutor Erik Nasarenko stated, “Illegal massage parlors are often a front for human trafficking and pimping activities, where victims are forced into engaging in sex acts. This case signifies that our office will utilize all available enforcement measures to hold those involved accountable.”