LUBBOCK, Texas — A mother and son are waiting to be extradited to Lubbock after officials said employees at massage parlors in Texas and New Mexico were caught offering “illicit commercial sex.”
Officials said Shaoping Wen, 64, and her associate, Xu Wang, 41, were charged with conspiracy to use interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprises. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO), the two were arrested in New Mexico on March 21 and made their first court appearances in Las Cruces on Wednesday. The two are expected to head to Lubbock soon to face justice in federal court.
A criminal complaint stated Wen owned and operated at least seven massage parlors where “Asian women engaged in commercial sex,” a press release stated. Wen’s son, Wang, operated the parlors on her behalf while she was out of town.
According to a press release, at least 10 times between June 2023 and February 2024, undercover officers purchased $60 massages at Wen’s parlors in Texas and New Mexico. Officials said officers were generally greeted by women wearing lingerie, who offered to have sex with them for an additional fee. Officials said the women typically charged between $140 and $200 and used translation apps to negotiate services.
The USAO said when the women were arrested for prostitution, they identified themselves as Chinese citizens and listed their occupation as “laborer.” Officials said Wen or Wang showed up to pay their cash bonds on multiple occasions.
“Officers also observed Ms. Wen’s vehicle transporting Asian females directly from the airport to her massage parlors,” the press release stated. “Neighbors said the women never left the building.”
Authorities searched the parlors and found beds on the floors, suggesting the women lived there.
“On at least one occasion, a passerby heard a woman screaming and entered the parlor to check-in,” the USAO stated. “He reported seeing three women between the ages of 30 and 50 dressed in provocative clothing.”
According to officials, investigators discovered the parlors advertised on sites often used to advertise commercial sex. The posts advertised the “girlfriend experience,” “porn star experience,” and “fantasy outfits on request.”
The Lubbock, Wolfforth, Clovis and Roswell Police Departments helped the FBI and Homeland Security with the investigation. The Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office along with several other agencies assisted.