Medford Human Trafficker To Be Sentenced Wednesday

MEDFORD, MA – A Medford woman convicted of helping run a human trafficking ring at massage parlors across the region will be sentenced Wednesday. Attorney General Maura Healey has scheduled sentencing for Xiu Chen, convicted of multiple counts of human trafficking and money laundering, for Dec. 19 at 2 p.m.

Along with Woburn resident Ronald Keplin, Chen set up massage parlors to serve as fronts for human trafficking and money laundering, the AG's office said. The operation included the following businesses:

• Mystic Health Center, Medford
• Asian Bodywork (aka Bedford Wellness Center), Bedford
• Shrine Spa (aka Billerica Bodywork or Boston Chinese Club), Billerica
• Body Wellness Center, Reading
• Body Language, Wilmington
• Asian Bodywork (aka Woburn Wellness Bodywork), Woburn

Chen and Keplin were arrested in 2013. Investigators said the pair coordinated the recruitment of women from across the eastern seaboard, advertised sexual services on known prostitution websites, arranged sexual encounters for the women and managed the financial aspects of the operation.

Former Attorney General Martha Coakley's office said the women were subject to poor living conditions and were sometimes relegated to sleeping on mattresses on the floor in overcrowded spaces or on the massage tables at the parlors.

Chen and Keplin funneled the money from prostitution into the daily operations of their businesses, including covering rent, utility bills and advertising, according to the AG. They were the first people charged under a new money laundering statute signed into law in late 2011.

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