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Bust Targets AA Prostitution Ring, Southeast Asian Women were victims
SEATTLE (AP) -- Authorities have broken up a prostitution ring that allegedly brought young Southeast Asian women to America and forced them to work in brothels as far away as New York.
A two-year investigation involving the FBI, Seattle police and other agencies led to the arrest of eight defendants in Seattle, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, U.S. Attorney John McKay said Wednesday.
Generally in their 20s, the women were brought to the United States from countries including China, Malaysia and South Korea. Upon arrival, they were coerced into prostitution to pay their travel debts, McKay said.
The women were rotated to brothels throughout the country -- as far away as New York, he said, but declined to provide details on other areas involved.
``These women are basically enslaved into this type of activity,'' McKay said.
The prostitution ring is the largest that has been addressed at the federal level in Seattle, said Charles Mandigo, special agent in charge of the Seattle FBI office.
It proved difficult to infiltrate because its operators were a tight-knit group that only served Asian men. Authorities used electronic surveillance and confidential informants to obtain evidence.
In addition to the arrests, authorities have seven women in custody in Seattle, two in Portland and five in Los Angeles. The women were being held as witnesses in the investigation and for immigration investigations, McKay said.
McKay said he anticipates more arrests around the country but did not elaborate. He had no estimate of how many young women might have been involved in the ring.
Five Seattle defendants made their initial appearance Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge John L. Weinberg.
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10-01-2002 04:14 AM
