Woman held pending trial in Fargo sex trafficking case

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 16:02 · Archive

A West Fargo woman has been ordered detained pending trial after prosecutors presented evidence she ran a commercial sex operation exploiting multiple women.

A West Fargo woman, Wanting Qiu, has been ordered held in custody pending trial after prosecutors presented evidence she ran a commercial sex operation and exploited multiple women. A second defendant in the same case was released on conditions. A detention order issued on 19 October in U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota detailed the allegations against Qiu, who also goes by 'Gina' and 'Suzi'.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Qiu arranged for multiple women to participate in the commercial sex operation, had no legitimate employment of her own, and moved funds among 24 bank accounts she controlled. Court filings also state that prosecutors presented evidence Qiu made false statements to immigration officials and falsified notarizations on documents submitted to immigration authorities. Prosecutors argued her conduct continued despite several previous encounters with law enforcement.

Qiu was arrested on 13 October on an indictment charging her with conspiracy to use interstate and foreign facilities in aid of racketeering, five counts of using facilities in interstate and foreign commerce in aid of racketeering, transportation for purposes of prostitution, coercion and enticement for purposes of prostitution, money laundering conspiracy, and seven counts of aiding and abetting.

The court found that no condition or combination of conditions would reasonably assure her appearance at future proceedings and ordered her detained pending trial. Prosecutors argued Qiu had no ties to North Dakota and that her marriage was a 'sham', citing false information she gave to a pretrial services officer about the relationship.

How it is being reported

• Federal case alleges commercial sex operation involving exploited women in Fargo areaOne defendant ordered detained, second released on conditionsKfyrtv · 20 Oct, 15:34
• Federal case alleges commercial sex operation involving exploited women in Fargo areaOne defendant ordered detained, second released on conditionsValleynewslive · 20 Oct, 15:34

In this story: Wanting Qiu · West Fargo · U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota · North Dakota

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