Brothel in Las Vegas Raided, Men Charged with Sex Trafficking

Three men, suspected of being involved in sex trafficking and running an illegal brothel in Las Vegas were recently arrested and charged.

Raid in Chinatown Results in the Arrest of Three

In some Counties across Nevada, brothels are legal if they hold a license for the activity. Yet, while some Counties permit licensed brothels, Clark County, where Las Vegas is located, doesn’t allow the activity.

A recent investigation by the Las Vegas Metro Police Department (LVMPD) uncovered an unlicensed brothel, where two Chinese women, who were smuggled into the country, were forced into sex. As announced by KLAS, two men were accused of running the brothel which was located at a residential house in Chinatown.

Earlier this month, a man identified with the initials C.G. as well as his accomplice, a man with the initials L.S., were both arrested over suspicion of running the brothel. A third person, who was the owner of the home where the illegal brothel was located and rented it to the other two, was also arrested.

The third man identified with the initials E.C. is currently facing charges of encouraging a brothel, as well as conducting or attempting to conduct a financial transaction to avoid reporting regulations.

On the other hand, C.G. is up against charges related to spending earnings of prostitution with threat or physical force, conspiring to commit sex trafficking as well as sex trafficking. Similarly to C.G. his accomplice, L.S. is also facing charges related to encouraging a brothel, conspiring to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking.

A Large Amount of Cash, Prostitution-Related Items Was Found

During the police raid at the illegal brothel earlier this month, police uncovered a large amount of cash. Approximately $40,000 was found and seized from the residence, while another $180,000 was seized from the suspects’ private residences. Another $32,000 was also found in the center console of a truck belonging to one of the men.

According to documents on the case, police also found “a large number of prostitution-related items to include condoms, lubrication, and records of prostitution activity, including ledgers.”

The recent raids followed an investigation dating back to April. At the time, detectives with the LVMPD came across a prostitution advertisement online that included a picture of an Asian woman who was “scantily dressed.” A detective followed up on the ad by sending a text message and received the address of the home in Chinatown as a response.

Subsequently, an investigation was launched into the suspected brothel where officers conducted surveillance at the site. Per police records, between 20 and 30 men entered the residential home every day. Each man who entered the premises stayed for a short time before leaving, law enforcement observed.

After the bust, police interviewed the victims, two women from China, who admitted to being smuggled into the country through Mexico. Although they were promised work at a restaurant, once in the country, they were forced into sex labor.