Mother, son sentenced for running illicit massage parlors in Texas, New Mexico - KEYE TV CBS Austin

[Jamie Burch, ABC 7 News]

LUBBOCK, Texas (KVII) — A mother and her son were sentenced for running illicit massage parlors in Texas and New Mexico.

Shaoping Wen was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk, to be followed by one-year of supervised release. Wen was also ordered to forfeit $291,990.88 and pay a fine of $1,771,360.

In November 2024, she pled guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate travel and use of interstate facilities in aid of racketeering enterprises.

Xu Wang was sentenced to time served (362 days), plus one-year of supervised release.

Wang pled guilty to misprision of a felony in November 2024.

Wen owned and operated at least seven massage parlors where Asian women engaged in illegal commercial sex. Wang operated the parlors when Wen was out of state.

According to court documents, on at least 10 occasions between June 2023 and February 2024, undercover officers purchased massages at Wen’s parlors in Texas and New Mexico.

The officers were generally greeted by lingerie-clad women who agreed to have sex with them for an additional fee between $140-$200. Several of the women used translation apps to negotiate for sexual services.

When the women were arrested for prostitution, they identified themselves as Chinese citizens and listed their occupation as simply, “laborer.”

On several occasions, Wen or Wang facilitated payment of the arrested women’s cash bond.

Officers also observed Wen’s vehicle transporting Asian females directly from the airport to her massage parlors. Neighbors said the women never left the building. Searches of the premises revealed beds placed on the floors, suggesting the women lived at the massage parlors.

On at least one occasion, a passerby heard a woman screaming and entered the parlor to check-in. He reported seeing three women between the ages of 30 and 50 dressed in provocative clothing.

Officers found the massage parlors advertised on sites often used to advertise for commercial sex. The ads included photos of partially naked women and promoted “100% sexy” girls who “like to spend time with nice upscale gentlemen.” They advertised the “girlfriend experience,” “porn star experience,” and “fantasy outfits on request.”

In March 2024, Wen’s seven illicit massage parlors were searched. During the search, law enforcement located further evidence that the women were residing in the parlors, as well as condoms and other items indicative of sexual activity, and approximately $291,990.88 cash.

Casino records revealed that Wen frequently traveled to California to launder the proceeds of her illicit massage parlor businesses. From January 2018 to August 2023, Wen cashed out approximately $1,771,360 in chips from the casino.