Originally published Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Comments (7)
E-mail article
Print view
Charges filed in prostitution scheme at three "spas"
Federal agents have arrested a California businessman and a woman on charges of conspiracy to transport prostitutes across state lines and money laundering after a two-year investigation into several King County tanning salons. A woman who remains a fugitive was also charged.
Seattle Times staff reporter
Federal agents have arrested a California businessman and one woman on charges of conspiracy to transport prostitutes across state lines and money laundering after a two-year investigation into several King County tanning salons.
Donald Kerry Frey, 36, of South Lake Tahoe, Calif., and Nguyen Tran Nguyen, also known as "Stacey," 26, appeared Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian Tsuchida. Both were ordered held pending formal arraignment and detention hearings on Friday.
The indictment was issued earlier this month, but unsealed Tuesday with the arrests. Also charged was Minh Thuy Thi Nguyen, aka "Jackie," who remained a fugitive, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Prosecutors allege Frey, through a holding company called Crown Venture Capital, owned the now-closed Aloha Tanning Resort in Renton; the Avalon Spa on Aurora Avenue North in North Seattle; and the Malibu Tanning Spa in Tukwila. They alleged the salons operated as brothels for itinerant prostitutes traveling a circuit between the West Coast and Texas.
Nguyen Tran Nguyen, according to the indictment, had booked more than 70 airline tickets to bring prostitutes into Seattle since early 2007. Once here, they would work at the spas for several weeks and then move on.
The women, mostly Asians, would advertise on a variety of Web sites. Federal agents recently searched several e-mail accounts through which clients would book their services, according to court documents.
Agents and detectives from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Internal Revenue Service, the Seattle Police Department and the King County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday served search warrants on the spas, two homes, a boat and several vehicles.
Over the past two years, several undercover officers and informants have visited the spas and have been offered sex for money, according to the indictment.
The warrant for the e-mail accounts alleged that Frey would travel between California, Nevada and Washington to collect money from spas. Each of the King County spas was expected to pay him $30,000 a month, according to the manager of one of the spas who became a police informant.
The indictment alleges he knew the spas were brothels. The warrant says Frey and a business partner had been under investigation for prostitution in Southern California as well.
Nguyen Tran Nguyen replaced the informant as manager of the Malibu spa, according to the warrant.
Spa managers made their money by taking a cut of a minimum $60 fee charged to each customer through the door. The prostitutes would charge between $80 and $300, depending on the sex act "and the generosity of the male client."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Yee-Ting Woo said there was no evidence that the women working at the spas were coerced or otherwise pressured to work as prostitutes.
Mike Carter: 206-464-3706 or mcarter@seattletimes.com.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Lake Union fireworks fun based on a blast from the past
Merchant Marine veterans fight for recognition
Walk the deck of a restored schooner
Lake Washington's sockeye run may hit a record low
Oxygen loss tied to sky divers' crash

Tribal Fireworks Rivalry
The Fourth of July marks a long-standing fireworks rivalry between two clans of a Native-American family in Suquamish.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
Tax tips for new independent professionals
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new truck? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
nwhomes

Find a new home or condo that fits your lifestyle.
Search New Developments
Builder Directory
- Palin resignation leaves questions on 2012 run
- Yakima teacher reprimanded for sending 5-year-old student home with bag of feces in backpack
- Fire sends service providers scrambling
- 6 jurors swear a cop's wife swayed panel in Kent civil rights case
- Going to Gas Works Park? Good luck
- Bicyclist killed Wednesday night is identified
- Powerful sedative found in Michael Jackson's home
- Mariners Blog | Mariners, Angels have serious trade deadline advantage over Texas Rangers
- Woman accuses Sounders FC player Nate Jaqua of sexual assault, seeks more than $10 million
- Rob Johnson's double in 11th powers Mariners past Red Sox, 7-6
- Palin resigning as Alaska governor
569 - Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox: 07/04 game thread
343 - Yakima teacher reprimanded for backpack feces
88 - Recession wipes out 9 years of job gains
87 - 6 jurors swear a cop's wife swayed panel in Kent civil rights case
76 - Global warming may impede eelgrass growth
66 - Eyman initiative looks likely for November ballot
57 - Woman accuses Sounders FC player Nate Jaqua of sexual assault, seeks more than $10 million
57 - Anti-illegal immigration initiative falls short
53 - Rob Johnson ties a club record as Mariners win 7-6 in 11 innings
50
- Going to Gas Works Park? Good luck
- Liven up Fremont's attempt to break a world record for a 'zombie walk'
- Lynnwood's City Bank gets tighter scrutiny
- Retail Report | Pet-supply shops grow while other retailers fade
- Yakima teacher reprimanded for sending 5-year-old student home with bag of feces in backpack
- Fire sends service providers scrambling
- Oregon woman obsessed with rabbits back in jail
- Plasma and LED beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Palin resignation leaves questions on 2012 run
- Police: Teens mishear sex screams, beat man






