Toby Landry, left, during a press conference to announce several arrests involving prostitution, pandering and human trafficking Wednesday, February 13, , at the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Offfice in Lafayette, La. At least one woman picked up Tuesday in a Lafayette Parish prostitution bust is believed to be the victim of sex trafficking.
Eight people were arrested Tuesday night on counts ranging from human trafficking to operating a place of prostitution in a roundup at five massage parlors and three residences, Lafayette Parish Sheriff Mark Garber said during a news conference Wednesday.
The arrests, Garber said, followed a month investigation launched in response to numerous complaints from business owners and residents. An email has been sent with a link to confirm list signup. Nine people were originally picked up, Garber said, but one woman said she was forced into prostitution as part of a human trafficking operation.
He thanked Faith House shelter for assisting the woman and the U. Department of Homeland Security for providing a Chinese translator. Can't see video below? Click here. Xufang Ou, 33, block of Guilbeau Road, Lafayette, was booked on a count of human trafficking and four counts of pandering. Zhao Chen, 46, of New York, and Houqin Tang, 55, Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette, were booked on counts of pandering, operating a place of prostitution and keeping a disorderly place.
Renjie Jang, 31, block of West Congress Street, Lafayette, was booked on two counts of pandering and one count of operating a place of prostitution. Pingjuan Xia, 36, block of Chimney Rock, Lafayette, was booked on one count of pandering. Chang Su, no address available, was booked on counts of operating a place of prostitution and pandering. The Sheriff's Office listed three women booked on counts of prostitution by massage, but The Advocate is withholding their names until it is clear they are not victims of human trafficking.
