Griffin: ‘January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the best way to prevent human trafficking and rescue its victims is to combat it on one of its key fronts: illicit massage parlors’
Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing the execution of search warrants at 12 locations across the state as part of Operation Obscured Vision to combat human trafficking, resulting in aid provided to 16 victims, the arrest of four individuals, and the seizure of nearly $70,000 and a luxury vehicle:
“January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the best way to prevent human trafficking and rescue its victims is to combat it on one of its key fronts: illicit massage parlors.
“Operation Obscured Vision was coordinated by my office’s Special Investigations Division and executed by local law enforcement and victim advocates groups to expose the pervasive issue of illicit massage parlors in Arkansas, rescue the victims of human trafficking, and permanently end the presence of illicit massage parlors in our state.
“Many of the women working in these illicit massage parlors are coerced to do so. One victim we interviewed stated that she is forced to work seven days a week, 13 hours per day.
“I am proud to announce that local law enforcement, with coordination by my office, executed 12 search warrants at illicit massage parlors in Jonesboro, Russellville, Hot Springs, Rogers, Harrison, and a Little Rock hotel. I congratulate the local police officers, sheriff’s deputies, the Arkansas State Police, and Special Agents in my office for successfully executing this operation.
“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. Seventeen victims ranging in age from 29-65 were identified in the operation, sixteen accepted services from medical staff and victim’s advocates.
“I am grateful to members of the Arkansas General Assembly and Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders for their support of adding a full-time human trafficking investigator to my office. That Special Agent worked tirelessly to coordinate this operation, and it wouldn’t have happened without the agent’s efforts.
“This operation is just a first step. The intelligence and evidence obtained through Operation Obscured Vision will be used in ongoing investigations and will aid in targeting similar massage parlors elsewhere in the state. The criminals who run these establishments and the men who patronize them are on notice. We are coming for you, and we will put an end to this horrific practice of exploiting women through human trafficking.”
Four women were arrested as part of Operation Obscured Vision.
Haiyan Lu, 54, of Harrison, one count of Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree
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
Chunli Wang, 50, of Rogers, one count of Sexual Assault in the Second Degree
Law enforcement seized nearly $70,000 during the operation. Additionally, ¥1,870 in Chinese currency was seized in Russellville. A Mercedes-Benz vehicle was seized in Rogers.
Participating law enforcement agencies 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