A former San Diego police officer, attorney, and private investigator is trading a badge for bars after being sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for running a multi-state sex trafficking operation masquerading as legitimate massage businesses. Peter Griffin, 62, wasn’t just a silent partner; the feds say he used his law enforcement background to expertly evade detection for nearly a decade, building a network of illicit parlors across California and Arizona.
Griffin, along with three co-defendants – Kyung Sook Hernandez, Yu Hong Tan, and Yoo Jin Ott – operated five massage businesses from 2013 until their takedown in August 2022. The operation wasn’t about deep tissue or aromatherapy. Federal prosecutors detailed a systematic exploitation of vulnerable immigrant women, lured with promises of work and then trapped in a cycle of sexual abuse and financial control. The women were forced to provide commercial sexual services to clients advertised online.
This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment scheme. The feds allege Griffin and his cohorts meticulously incorporated the businesses, creating a paper trail designed to obscure the illegal activity. They managed the substantial profits generated from the operation, laundering the money through a complex web of transactions to disguise its criminal origins. Online advertisements, carefully crafted to avoid explicit language, drew in clients while keeping the true nature of the business hidden in plain sight.
Griffin’s past as a law enforcement officer was central to the success and longevity of the operation. He understood how investigations worked, allowing him to anticipate and circumvent law enforcement scrutiny. His legal background gave him the knowledge to navigate the complexities of business registration and financial regulations, creating a façade of legitimacy that fooled authorities for years. The prosecution argued this wasn’t simply criminal negligence, but a calculated abuse of a position of trust.
While Griffin received the harshest sentence – 33 months – his co-defendants received six months in custody each. The relatively light sentences for Hernandez, Tan, and Ott raise questions about their level of involvement and potential cooperation with federal investigators. Sentencing guidelines for conspiracy and wire fraud charges can range significantly depending on the amount of money laundered and the extent of the operation, but the prosecution clearly prioritized bringing down the ringleader.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, alongside the FBI and local law enforcement agencies, spent years building the case against Griffin and his associates. The investigation involved undercover operations, financial tracing, and interviews with victims, many of whom were hesitant to come forward due to fear of retribution or immigration concerns. This case highlights the disturbing intersection of human trafficking, financial crime, and the abuse of power by those sworn to uphold the law.
The women exploited in these massage parlors often face immense barriers to seeking help, including language difficulties, fear of deportation, and a lack of resources. This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of immigrant communities and the need for increased awareness and support for victims of human trafficking. The feds are urging anyone with information about similar operations to come forward.
Beyond the prison sentence, Griffin will likely face asset forfeiture, meaning the government will seize any money or property obtained through his illegal activities. His legal career is undoubtedly over, and his reputation is irrevocably tarnished. The case stands as a chilling example of how someone entrusted with protecting the public can instead become a predator, exploiting the vulnerable for personal gain.
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- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: U.S. Department of Justice
- Keywords: human trafficking, sex crimes, fraud
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
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