Four members of a Chinese family accused of operating massage parlors as fronts for pimping, prostitution and human trafficking could spend years in prison after being convicted in Ventura County.
Prosecutors identified Xiangwei Ma, 56, as the alleged leader of the operation. Her husband, Ming Ma, 40, her brother, Xiangdong Ma, 54, and her sister, Li Ma, 60, were also accused of helping run the pay-for-sex network.
A Ventura County jury convicted all four defendants of multiple felonies on Sept. 24 and 29. Prosecutors said the family’s alleged pimping enterprise operated for more than 10 years.
“Illicit massage businesses are often fronts for human trafficking and pimping where victims are coerced into performing commercial sex work,” Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said.
“This case demonstrates our commitment to use the full weight of this office to hold these offenders accountable,” he added.
The investigation began in 2020, after several law enforcement agencies received anonymous letters alleging prostitution and human trafficking at Ventura County massage businesses, including Miracle Massage in Ventura and A+ Massage in Port Hueneme.
According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, investigators concluded that the Ma family members worked together to operate brothels disguised as legitimate massage parlors. The women allegedly recruited from China were then exploited for commercial sex.
Prosecutors also allege that the family concealed and transferred at least $1.25 million in prostitution proceeds. The money was reportedly laundered through banks, life insurance policies, casinos and real estate deals. Authorities are seeking forfeiture of the assets.
The alleged enterprise operated through a series of massage parlors where customers paid for sex instead of legitimate massage services. Every business tied to the case has since shut down.
Among them was Miracle Massage on Main Street in Ventura, where online reviews appeared to hint at the activity taking place inside.
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“It is 100% a massage place that is for guys looking for a happy ending,” one customer wrote in a 2016 Yelp review. “She asked me if I wanted one and I was super shocked, as she slid her hand near my privates, I told her NO I’m here for only a massage.”
“This place needs to be shut down!” the reviewer added.
Xiangwei Ma, whom prosecutors described as the operation’s ringleader, had previously pleaded guilty to attempted pandering in Los Angeles County. She served 18 months in prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
During her incarceration, prosecutors said other members of the family took over management of the brothels.
After her release, Xiangwei Ma allegedly resumed control and used other people as “straw” owners to hide her connection to the businesses and related real estate.
One alleged money-laundering scheme involved a home on Crowne Oak Lane in Simi Valley. Prosecutors said Xiangwei Ma misrepresented her employment and income while attempting to secure a short sale of the property.
All four family members were booked into Ventura County Jail after the verdicts were returned.
Sentencing is scheduled for later this month and November.
Xiangwei Ma faces a potential 17-year state prison sentence for pimping, mortgage fraud and money laundering.
Xiangdong Ma, Li Ma and Ming Ma face possible sentences of 13 years, eight years and 11 years, respectively, for pimping and money laundering.
A fifth defendant, Jaime Calderon, Li Ma’s husband, pleaded guilty to money laundering in August 2023 and was sentenced to time in Ventura County Jail.