Samir F. Elias, Sex Trafficking, Kansas 2023

Sex Trafficking Ring Uncovered in Wichita

WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita massage parlor owner was sentenced to two years supervised release for harboring a Chinese woman who worked as a prostitute, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

The defendant agreed to forfeit more than $32,000 in cash and a 2004 Honda Element. In addition, the judge imposed a $52,000 money judgment.

Samir F. Elias, 61, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of harboring an alien for financial gain and one count of importation of an alien for prostitution. In his plea, he admitted the crimes occurred while he was the owner of GiGi’s Elite Massage, which operated at 357 N. Hillside in Wichita after moving from a previous location at 6611 E. Central.

Elias employed a Chinese woman with the initials F.Y. He was aware that the woman, who was not lawfully in the United States, engaged in the sale of sexual relations at the massage parlor. He personally reviewed online forums discussing the sale of sexual relations at his business. He harbored her at his residence near Maple and 119th West in Wichita, driving her to work and home again. He collected money from her he knew to be the proceeds of prostitution.

An undercover vice detective with the Wichita Police Department arrested the woman after she offered to perform sexual services during a massage.

Beall commended the Wichita Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart for their work on the case.

According to the U.S. Attorney's office, the defendant must serve two years supervised release, forfeit $32,000 in cash and a 2004 Honda Element, and pay a $52,000 money judgment.

The crime occurred in Wichita, Kansas, and the sentencing took place on an unspecified date.

Samir F. Elias is a 61-year-old resident of Wichita, Kansas, and the owner of GiGi’s Elite Massage.

The defendant pleaded guilty to harboring an alien for financial gain and importation of an alien for prostitution.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/wichita-massage-parlor-owner-pleads-guilty-sex-trafficking-case-0