Seized by federal agents in August 2013, the Travelers Choice Motel and Great Bear Motor Inn have been shut down after their owners and managers, JASPAL SINGH, 37, and KULWINDER SAROYA, 42, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to maintain drug involved premises. U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan confirmed that the duo, both from SeaTac, Washington, admitted to profiting from drug activity at these motels.
The men will forfeit their properties, a Mercedes Benz, and over $265,000 seized from their bank accounts, as well as their home in SeaTac. Today’s guilty pleas mean all three motels shuttered and seized by federal agents in 2013 will be sold by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Durkan emphasized the impact of these actions: ‘We will use all our tools to seize criminal proceeds, protect the public, and hold people accountable.’ Since shutting down the motels, police calls in the area have dropped by one-third.
Additionally, LAKHVIR PAWAR, 41, pleaded guilty last week and agreed to forfeit his interest in the Boulevard Motel and $90,000 gained from criminal activity. Sentencing for all three men will take place on February 28, 2014, with the government recommending no more than a year in prison.
Records show that SAROYA and SINGH collected entry fees from those seeking drugs or sex at their motels. They also admitted to charging additional rental fees based on customer volume. The investigation involved undercover operations and the cooperation of numerous agencies, including the ATF, Tukwila Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, and multiple police departments.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Justin Arnold, Jill Otake, and Richard Cohen.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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