2 Jonesboro women arrested in statewide human trafficking raids - KAIT

[K8 Newsdesk]

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KAIT) - Surrounded by law enforcement officers and prosecutors from around the state, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced the results of “Operation Obscured Vision.”

The statewide operation targeted illicit massage parlors throughout the state to crack down on human trafficking in the state.

Officers executed search warrants at 12 locations, including here in Jonesboro. Other warrants were executed in Russellville, Hot Springs, Rogers, Harrison, and a Little Rock hotel.

During the raids, investigators seized nearly $70,000 in cash, some in Chinese currency, and a luxury vehicle.

Griffin said during Friday’s news conference that officers also arrested four people, including two Jonesboro women:

• Qing Chen, 53, of Jonesboro, one count of Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree
• Hongliang Cai, 55, of Jonesboro, one count of Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree
• Haiyan Lu, 54, of Harrison, one count of Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree
• Chunli Wang, 50, of Rogers, one count of Sexual Assault in the Second Degree

The statewide operation targeted illicit massage parlors throughout the state to crack down on human trafficking in the state.

“They are woven into a network that goes far beyond our borders,” Griffin said of the suspects, saying it was a national and international problem that went beyond human trafficking. “They’re involved in all kinds of stuff.”

Griffin said this operation was “just a first step.” He said the evidence and information obtained would be used in ongoing investigations and help them target similar massage parlors in the state.

“The criminals who run these establishments and the men who patronize them are on notice,” he said. “We are coming for you, and we will put an end to this horrific practice of exploiting women through human trafficking.”

In addition to the arrests, officers provided aid to 16 of 17 victims.

“I appreciate the efforts of victim’s advocates and the Arkansas Department of Health, who provided language interpreters, nursing services, and other support to help victims receive comprehensive and coordinated assistance to ensure their safety and support their journey toward independence and recovery,” Griffin said. “Seventeen victims ranging in age from 29-65 were identified in the operation, sixteen accepted services from medical staff and victim’s advocates.”

Agencies participating in Operation Obscured Vision included:

• Arkansas Attorney General’s Office Special Investigations Division
• Arkansas State Police
• Arkansas State Fusion Center
• Jonesboro Police Department
• Harrison Police Department
• Rogers Police Department
• Benton County Sheriff’s Office
• Russellville Police Department
• Little Rock Police Department
• Hot Springs Police Department

Prosecuting Attorneys participating in Operation Obscured Vision include:

• Sonia Hagood, Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney
• Jeff Phillips, Fifth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney
• Will Jones, Sixth Judicial Prosecuting Attorney
• David Ethredge, Fourteenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney
• Michelle Lawrence, Eighteenth-East Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney
• Bryan Sexton, Nineteenth-West Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney

Advocate groups participating in Operation Obscured Vision included:

• Arkansas Human Trafficking Council
• Into the Light
• Freedom Finders
• Hope Found
• NWA Forensic Nursing Team/REACH
• NWA Sexual Assault Center
• We Are Free
• Regional Intervention of Sexual Exploitation (RISE)
• Children’s Protection Center (CPC) Little Rock

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