Por El Latino Newsroom
Four members of a family-run criminal organization have been sentenced to state prison in California for operating illicit massage businesses used as fronts for commercial sex activities and laundering the proceeds through financial institutions, life insurance policies and real estate transactions.
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that the four defendants received prison sentences ranging from four years and four months to 14 years and eight months after a jury convicted them of multiple felony offenses connected to their roles in the criminal enterprise.
Xiangwei Ma, identified by authorities as the head of the organization, was sentenced to 14 years and eight months in state prison. Her brother, Xiangdong Ma, received a 10-year sentence, while Li Ma was sentenced to five years and four months. Ming Ma, Xiangwei’s husband, received a sentence of four years and four months.
According to investigators, the defendants worked together to recruit and exploit women from China for commercial sex while operating businesses that appeared to be legitimate massage establishments.
Prosecutors said the operation continued for more than a decade and generated substantial profits from illicit sexual activity.
Investigation Uncovered Criminal Network Operating Behind Legitimate-Looking Businesses
The investigation began in 2020 after multiple law enforcement agencies received anonymous letters reporting suspected prostitution and human trafficking at massage establishments throughout Ventura County.
The businesses identified included Miracle Massage in Ventura and A+ Massage in Port Hueneme.
Investigators determined that Xiangwei Ma, her husband Ming, her brother Xiangdong, her sister Li, and Li’s husband, Jaime Calderon, worked together to operate the establishments as fronts for a commercial sex operation.
Authorities found that the family members participated in recruiting and exploiting women from China while presenting the businesses to the public as conventional massage establishments.
The investigation also uncovered efforts to conceal the origin of the proceeds and move the money through various financial institutions, life insurance policies, casinos and real estate transactions.
Prosecutors said the business structure was designed to keep the operation running even after law enforcement made arrests involving pimping and prostitution.
Xiangwei Ma had previously been convicted in Los Angeles County of attempted pandering and served an 18-month prison sentence. During her incarceration, other members of the organization continued operating the massage businesses.
After her release, investigators determined that she resumed directing the operations while attempting to avoid being formally identified as an owner or manager.
Authorities also documented that she used other individuals as nominal or “straw” owners to conceal her involvement in businesses and real estate properties.
One example involved a residence on Crowne Oak Lane in Simi Valley. According to evidence gathered during the investigation, Xiangwei Ma made conflicting statements about her employment and income in connection with the property and later sought a short sale, a real estate transaction in which a property is sold for less than the outstanding mortgage balance.
Calderon eventually became the listed buyer. However, despite the terms of the sale requiring Xiangwei Ma to leave the residence, she continued living there.
Sentences Include Forfeiture of More Than $1.25 Million in Assets
In addition to the prison sentences, the case established the legal basis for forfeiting the defendants’ interests in more than $1.25 million in seized cash, bank funds and life insurance cash values.
Xiangwei Ma and Ming Ma admitted that their offenses involved planning, sophistication or professionalism. Xiangwei also admitted serving a previous prison term and acknowledged that the mortgage fraud involved a substantial monetary loss.
In Li Ma’s case, the court found that her offenses also involved planning and sophistication. A jury made the same finding regarding Xiangdong Ma.
Additionally, Xiangwei, Li and Ming Ma admitted engaging in a pattern of related criminal profiteering activities carried out for financial gain as part of organized criminal activity. A jury found the same allegation proven beyond a reasonable doubt against Xiangdong.
A fifth defendant, Jaime Calderon, pleaded guilty to money laundering on August 11, 2023, and was sentenced to Ventura County Jail.
Prosecutors said the financial investigation and asset tracing helped identify and secure property connected to the illicit activities, while also allowing authorities to permanently shut down the businesses used to conceal the operation.
“Behind the doors of seemingly legitimate massage businesses in Ventura County was a criminal enterprise that exploited vulnerable women and generated enormous profits,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Rikole Kelly said.
Kelly added that the convictions send a message that those who profit from exploiting others will be held accountable.
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said the businesses had been structured to continue operating even after arrests related to pimping and prostitution. He also credited the investigation conducted by his office with tracing the money, seizing the assets and dismantling the operation.
