VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that four members of a family-run criminal enterprise were convicted by a jury for their involvement in the operation of illicit massage businesses, commercial sex operations and the laundering of proceeds through financial institutions, real estate and other assets.
The jury found Xiangwei Ma (DOB 07/15/70), Xiangdong Ma (DOB 09/10/72), Li Ma (DOB 02/18/66), and Ming Ma (DOB 10/18/85) guilty of several felony offenses related to the operation of the criminal enterprise.
Xiangwei Ma, identified as the head of the organization, was convicted of pimping, mortgage fraud, and nine counts of money laundering. Xiangdong Ma was convicted of pimping and five counts of money laundering. Li Ma was convicted of pimping and one count of money laundering. Ming Ma was convicted of pimping and two counts of money laundering.
Xiangwei Ma and Ming Ma admitted that each offense involved planning, sophistication, or professionalism. Xiangwei Ma also admitted serving a prior prison term and that the mortgage fraud involved a taking of great monetary value. The court found the planning, sophistication, or professionalism aggravating factor true as to Li Ma, and a jury found the same factor true as to
Xiangdong Ma. Xiangwei Ma, Li Ma, and Ming Ma admitted to engaging in a pattern of related criminal profiteering acts committed for financial gain as part of organized criminal activity. A jury found the same allegation true beyond a reasonable doubt as to Xiangdong Ma. The admissions and jury finding establish the basis for forfeiture of the defendants’ interests in more than $1.25 million in seized currency, bank funds, and life insurance cash values.
A fifth defendant, Jaime Calderon (DOB 11/23/61), previously pled guilty on August 11, 2023, to money laundering. He was sentenced to Ventura County Jail.
The investigation began in 2020 after multiple law enforcement agencies received anonymous “whistleblower” letters reporting suspected prostitution and human trafficking at massage establishments in Ventura County, including Miracle Massage in Ventura and A+ Massage in Port Hueneme. The subsequent investigation determined that Xiangwei Ma, her husband Ming Ma, her brother Xiangdong Ma, her sister Li Ma, and Li’s husband, Jaime Calderon, worked together to operate a commercial sex operation through massage businesses that served as fronts for the criminal enterprise. The businesses operated for more than a decade and generated substantial proceeds from illicit sexual activity.
Investigators determined that the defendants worked together to recruit and exploit women who were foreign nationals from China for commercial sex while presenting the businesses as legitimate massage establishments. The investigation also uncovered efforts to conceal and move the proceeds through numerous financial institutions, life insurance policies, casinos and real estate transactions. Xiangwei Ma had previously pled guilty to attempted pandering in Los Angeles County and served an 18-month prison sentence. During her incarceration, other members of the organization continued operating the massage businesses. After her release, investigators determined she resumed directing the businesses while avoiding being listed as an owner or manager.
Xiangwei Ma also used other individuals as nominal or “straw” owners to conceal her involvement in businesses and real estate. One example involved a Simi Valley residence on Crowne Oak Lane. Evidence showed that Xiangwei Ma made conflicting representations about her employment and income in connection with the property and later sought a short sale. Calderon ultimately became the listed buyer in the transaction. Despite the terms of the sale requiring Xiangwei Ma to leave the property, she continued living there.
The investigation established that the defendants used proceeds from the commercial sex operation and a network of financial and real estate transactions to conceal the source and ownership of the criminal proceeds. The investigation established that the defendants used proceeds from the commercial sex operation and a network of financial and real estate transactions to conceal the source and ownership of the criminal proceeds.
