State and local authorities have charged four people on multiple counts, alleging they were engaged in a “despicable” human trafficking ring that forced native Chinese women into prostitution at massage parlors in Monroeville, Murrysville and Delmont.
The four were charged Thursday on alleged violations of state laws against corrupt organizations and trafficking in individuals. Their alleged actions span Allegheny and Westmoreland counties but their cases are consolidated at the Westmoreland Magisterial District Court level pending a March 29 preliminary hearing.
They were charged following an investigation by the 43rd statewide investigating grand jury, convening in Allegheny County and supervised by Judge Norman Krumenacker III.
The nearly year-long investigation involved Pennsylvania State Police, the Attorney General’s office and Murrysville and Monroeville police.
Among those charged were Hui Xu, 44, of Mt. Pleasant, and Huicun Wei, 46, of Flushing, N.Y., owners of massage parlors where the alleged prostitution took place, according to the grand jury. According to the grand jury’s findings, Mr. Xu operated three Tokyo Massage Parlor locations in Monroeville and one in Delmont, while Ms. Wei operated Judy’s Oriental Massage Parlor in Murrysville.
Also charged were Chang Yu Chen, 51, of Monroeville; and Robert Delano Yerick, 84, of Delmont, both of whom are accused of transporting sex workers from a bus stop where they arrived from Flushing, N.Y., according to court documents.
The workers were young women from China who spoke mainly the Mandarin language, according to a statement by Attorney General Josh Shapiro.
“These defendants ran a despicable human trafficking ring — exploiting women for their own profit and forcing them into prostitution,” Mr. Shapiro said. “I won’t tolerate this type of treatment of fellow human beings.”
State Police Captain Tom Dubovi said that “by working cooperatively with law enforcement and other partners, we can bring those who commit these heinous acts to justice.”
The four defendants are held at the Westmoreland County Prison due to inability to post bond, according to court documents Friday.
The grand jury learned from testimony that the women working at the parlors were “very frightened.” They were allowed to keep some pay, but also had to pay for living in the parlors.
The grand jury heard testimony from one of the workers, a Chinese immigrant who said she faced “heavy pressure” to perform sexual acts on customers and that Mr. Xu became “very angry” when she refused. She was forced to work 24 hours a day, she testified, and sometimes she and other workers would lock the door because they were exhausted and wanted to sleep, also angering Mr. Xu, according to the grand jury.
The grand jury identified another person, named Henry Caruso III, as also transporting women to the massage parlors. He committed suicide in October 2018 after a search warrant was executed, according to the grand jury.
Peter Smith: petersmith@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1416; Twitter @PG_PeterSmith.
First Published: March 22, 2019, 9:19 p.m.
