ALBANY, NY – The veneer of tranquility at several Capital Region spas hid a dark reality: a thriving prostitution ring allegedly operated by Qingqin Xie, 39, of China. Xie was ordered detained yesterday following her arrest and subsequent charges of using interstate facilities to manage a business engaged in prostitution. The feds say this wasn’t a one-off; it was a calculated, ongoing operation.
According to the criminal complaint, Xie owned and operated multiple spas throughout the Capital Region, falsely advertising massage services as a front for commercial sex acts. She reportedly invested in internet advertising – much of it explicitly sexual – to draw in clientele. Law enforcement raided her Moon Spa in East Greenbush last October, seizing evidence of the illicit activity. But the raid didn’t stop Xie. She simply opened new locations and continued to employ women to engage in sex acts with paying customers.
“As alleged, Xie, who does not have lawful status in the United States, ran a prostitution business out of massage parlors and failed to stop even after law enforcement searched one of those parlors last year,” stated Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “My Office will continue to work with our partners to ensure those who sexually exploit people for profit are held accountable.” The statement underscores the brazen nature of the alleged enterprise and the determination of federal prosecutors.
The investigation involved a multi-agency task force, highlighting the scope and complexity of the case. FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated, “As alleged, Ms. Xie was operating an extensive commercial sex enterprise, using multiple massage parlors as a cover for prostitution. This arrest should send a message that the FBI, together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, will investigate and shut down these disturbing illicit businesses and ensure those who operate them are brought to justice.” New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James added that intercepting these illegal operations remains a top priority for protecting communities.
Federal investigators aren’t just focused on Xie’s actions, but also the money trail. Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation New York, emphasized, “It’s alleged Xie created a business enterprise with the prostitution of women; and like with any business, IRS-CI continues to offer its expertise in following the money.” Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and other agencies also played key roles in unraveling the operation. Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Buffalo, called the alleged crimes a “brazen disregard” for U.S. law.
If convicted, Xie faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. However, the final sentence will be determined by a judge considering various factors, including U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, indicating a broader effort to dismantle high-level criminal organizations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Kopita is prosecuting the case. Further information on OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Human Trafficking|Sex Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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