4 charged in multi-state sex trafficking ring

Four people have been charged for their alleged roles in a multi-state sex trafficking ring that victimized Chinese and Korean nationals.

The operation was based in California, where they posted thousands of ads on Backpages.com over two years in 29 different states including Minnesota.

They allegedly allowed johns to text their location in order to set them up with prostitutes in their neighborhood.

"You could text in and they'd say what part of the east metro are you, because we have a number of locations," said Washington County Attorney Pete Orput. "It seemed to me this was the Uber of sex trafficking, where you can get out your cell phone and you can order up a human being and they'll find a convenient location for you to meet."

Orput said the local operations included Fargo, St. Louis Park, Oakdale, Blaine, St. Paul, Maplewood and even a house in Cottage Grove.

The four suspects — three based in California, one based in Blaine — face charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, promotion of prostitution, concealing criminal proceeds and engaging in the business of concealing criminal proceeds. The charges were filed in connection to six victims.

The victims were found by posting job ads in Chinese newspapers. When they arrived in the US, the victims were moved frequently, so they couldn't establish local ties, Orput said.

The criminal complaint says they were forced to work 12-14 hours per day, and were forced to pay house fees, transportation, costs, hotel expenses and provide their own food. A defendant told investigators the victims were frequently assaulted, raped and robbed by customers.

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said the case speaks to a larger problem of how society enables sex trafficking.

"We're not going to solve this issue solely by arrested and prosecuting," he said. "In fact, none of this happens unless there is a demand."