Two Chinese Nationals Each Sentenced to 24 Months for Operating Illicit Massage Businesses in Southern Illinois
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois announced that Yalong Cao, 27, and Jianhong Hu Allbright, 58, both Chinese nationals, were each sentenced to 24 months in federal prison in Benton, Franklin County, Illinois, for operating massage parlors whose employees performed commercial sex acts. Both had pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and one count of money laundering.
According to court documents, the five locations were Rose Spa in Harrisburg, Oriental Home Spa & Massage in Centralia, Sunflower Spa in Mt. Vernon, Oasis Massage Spa in Vandalia, and Oriental Massage Parlor in Corydon, Indiana. The charged conduct ran from at least March 2022 through June 2024, and court documents state the pair received more than $25,000 through the businesses.
Allbright admitted managing day-to-day operations, including arranging transportation and providing supplies for the female employees to engage in commercial sex acts. Cao facilitated operations by recruiting employees and collecting proceeds from the prostitution. The pair also admitted placing online advertisements for the businesses. Neither the businesses nor the individual masseuses were licensed in Illinois or Indiana.
U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft said the office's human trafficking work used every available tool in this investigation, including money laundering charges not typical for an illicit massage business case, resulting in two federal prison sentences and protection for victims. Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly called the sentences a significant victory, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge William Steenson said financial activity tied to human trafficking leaves a clear and traceable trail, and Homeland Security Investigations Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino said law enforcement partners will continue to expose networks that facilitate commercial sex.
The Illinois State Police Trafficking Enforcement Bureau, Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation and the Illinois Department of Revenue contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karelia Rajagopal prosecuted the case.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 美国司法部罗伯特·肯尼迪大楼（GSM固定图库，APK，CC BY 4.0）：两名被告无官方照片，以司法部大楼为兜底图
