Mother and Son Sentenced for Running Illicit Massage Parlors

LUBBOCK, TX — A mother and her son have been sentenced for running illicit massage parlors in Texas and New Mexico involving sex trafficking and money laundering.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Shaoping Wen, 65, and her son Xu Wang, 42, were sentenced on March 18 for their involvement in running massage parlors that served as fronts for illegal commercial sex activities.

Wen and Wang were indicted in September 2024 after a federal grand jury in Lubbock, Texas, discovered they were operating at least seven massage parlors in Texas and New Mexico.

Court documents state Wen owned the parlors, where Asian women were forced into sex work, while Wang managed the parlors when Wen was out of state.

Wen pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in November 2024 and was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release. She was also ordered to forfeit $291,990.88 and pay a $1.7 million money judgment to the U.S. government.

Wang pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony, and was sentenced to time served (362 days) and one year of supervised release, says the release.

Between June 2023 and February 2024, undercover officers visited Wen's parlors, purchasing massages and being offered additional sexual services for $140 to $200.

Many women involved were Chinese nationals, using translation apps to communicate about the services. Wen and Wang also helped pay bail for the women when they were arrested for prostitution.

Authorities observed Wen's vehicle transporting women from the airport directly to the parlors, where they were reportedly kept inside. Investigations revealed that beds were set up in the parlors, indicating that the women lived there. The parlors were also advertised online, promoting "100% sexy” girls who “like to spend time with nice upscale gentlemen.”

At least once, a passerby heard a woman screaming and entered the parlor to investigate, where he saw three women, aged 30 to 50, wearing revealing clothing.

Wen’s parlors were searched in March 2024, and authorities found evidence of sexual activity, cash, and signs that the women were living in the parlors. Wen also used casinos to launder money, cashing out over $1,771,360 in chips from the casino between 2018 and 2023.

Law enforcement officials from multiple agencies, including the FBI and New Mexico State Police, have continued to investigate the full scope of the operation.