Artesia massage parlors have no connection to Carlsbad bust

Following the racketeering arrests this month of two individuals connected with a pair of Carlsbad massage parlors, the Daily Press has confirmed that the massage parlors located in Artesia have no association with the owners of the Carlsbad businesses.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced April 5 that Shaoping Wen, 64, and her associate, 41-year-old Xu Wang, had been formally charged with conspiracy to use interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprises after it was determined that employees of at least seven parlors allegedly owned by Wen had offered customers illicit commercial sex.

Wen and Wang were arrested March 21 in New Mexico and were, at the time, awaiting extradition to Lubbock, Texas.

According to the criminal complaint, Wang, who identified himself as Wen’s son, allegedly operated the parlors on her behalf when she was out of state. On at least 10 occasions between June 2023 and February, undercover officers purchased $60 massages at Wen’s parlors in Texas and New Mexico. The officers reported that they were generally greeted by lingerie-clad Asian women who allegedly agreed to engage in sex with them for an additional fee of between $140 and $200. Several of the women allegedly used translation apps to negotiate sexual services.

When the women were arrested on prostitution charges, they identified themselves as Chinese citizens and listed their occupation as “laborer.” On multiple occasions, Wen or Wang arrived to pay the women’s cash bond.

Officers also reported observing Wen’s vehicle transporting Asian females directly from airports to her parlors. Neighbors stated the women never left the building, and searches of the premises revealed beds placed on floors, suggesting the women resided at the parlors.

On at least one occasion, a witness reported hearing a woman screaming and entered a parlor for a welfare check. He stated he saw three women between the ages of 30 and 50 dressed in provocative clothing.

According to the DOJ, officers found the massage parlors advertised on websites often used to market commercial sex. The ads included photos of partially nude women and promoted “100% sexy” girls who “like to spend time with nice, upscale gentlemen.” They also advertised the “girlfriend experience,” “porn star experience” and “fantasy outfits on request.”

If convicted, Wen and Wang face up to five years in federal prison. The FBI’s Dallas Field Office – Lubbock Resident Agency, DHS, Texas Department of Public Safety and Lubbock Police Department were assisted in their investigation by, among other agencies, the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO); Carlsbad, Roswell and Clovis police departments; and Carlsbad and Roswell fire departments.

The ECSO issued an accompanying release on April 5, stating that two of the parlors in question were located in Carlsbad.

“It is essential to understand that these types of massage parlors are often fostering human trafficking,” the release read. “Chief Deputy Matthew Hutchinson and the ECSO, collectively, are committed to combating human trafficking in all its forms.”

Following the ECSO’s release, multiple Artesians raised concerns regarding this city’s massage parlors, located on South First Street, with residents primarily asking if Wen and Wang were in any way involved with those parlors.

Artesia Police Department (APD) Cmdr. David Rodriguez confirmed Tuesday that the local parlors have no connection with the individuals in question. Rodriguez reported that APD Criminal Investigations Division detectives have investigated minor, non-criminal matters at the parlors that involved business license requirements, and those compliance matters were resolved.

Rodriguez stressed that any allegations of criminal activity anywhere in Artesia will be fully investigated by his team, and anyone with questions or concerns may contact the APD at 575-746-5000.