Four Family Members Convicted of Running Countywide Commercial Sex Operation
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – Four family members were convicted of operating a years-long, countywide commercial sex operation and money laundering.
An investigation into the operation was started in 2020 after multiple law enforcement agencies received anonymous letters reporting suspected prostitution and human trafficking at massage parlors across Ventura County stated the Ventura County District Attorney's Office in a press release Wednesday.
According to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office, Xiangwei Ma was identified as the ringleader and her husband Ming Ma, her brother Xiangdong Ma, her sister Li Ma, and an unrelated man Jaime Calderon, all worked together to operate the commercial sex operation through massage businesses that served as fronts for the criminal enterprise.
The operation was conducted for more than a decade and brought in "substantial proceeds" before being shut down shared local prosecutors.
Investigators learned that the family worked together to recruit and exploit women who were foreign nationals from China while presenting the establishments as legitimate businesses detailed the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
"Illicit massage businesses are often fronts for human trafficking and pimping where victims are
coerced into performing commercial sex work," District Attorney Erik Nasarenko explained. "This case
demonstrates our commitment to use the full weight of this office to hold these offenders accountable."
The investigation also revealed that the conspirators attempted to conceal their ill-gotten gains by moving the money through numerous financial institutions, life insurance policies, casinos and real estate transactions noted prosecutors.
Previously, Xiangwei Ma pled guilty to attempted pandering in Los Angeles County and while she served an 18-month prison sentence, other members of the organization continued the Ventura County-based commercial sex operation and after her release, investigators learned she resumed leading the operation while avoiding being listed as an owner or manager of the involved fronts shared the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
Xiangwei Ma also used other people as nominal or "straw" owners to conceal her involvement in business and real estate deals including a residence on Crowne Oak Lane that ultimately listed the fifth defendant in this case, Jaime Calderon, as the buyer noted local prosecutors.
Calderon pled guilty on Aug. 11, 2023, to money laundering added the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
"We are deeply grateful to the jurors for the extraordinary time, care, and hard work they devoted
to this case," shared Senior Deputy District Attorney Rikole Kelly. "We also recognize the victim's courage in testifying despite her fear, and the investigators whose years of persistent work brought this case to justice. Together, they held accountable defendants who believed they could exploit women without consequence."
All four Ma family members were remanded into custody following their respective guilty verdicts stated the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
Xiangwei Ma of Simi Valley was convicted of pimping, mortgage fraud and nine counts of money laundering.
She is next due in court for a sentencing hearing on Oct. 23, 2026, where she faces 17 years in state prison shared the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
Xiangdong Ma of Hacienda Heights was convicted of pimping and five counts of money laundering.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 23 of this year where he faces 13 years in state prison noted the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
Li Ma of Oxnard was convicted of money laundering and money laundering.
She is next due in court for sentencing on Nov. 2, 2026, where she faces eight years and eight months in state prison stated the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
Ming Ma of Oxnard was convicted of pimping and two counts of money laundering.
He is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on Nov. 4, 2026 where he faces 11 years and four months in state prison detailed the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
