Medford Woman Indicted in Connection With Human Trafficking Enterprise

– Allison Goldsberry

A Medford woman and a Woburn man have been indicted on multiple counts of human trafficking and money laundering after an investigation into an extensive criminal enterprise, according to Attorney General (and Medford resident) Martha Coakley.

A Middlesex Grand Jury indicted Xiu J. Chen, 32, of Medford, and Ronald Keplin, 57, of Woburn on Wednesday. Both Chen and Keplin are charged with Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude (6 counts each), Conspiracy to Traffic Persons for Sexual Servitude (6 counts each), and Deriving Support from Prostitution (6 counts each). Chen is also charged with Keeping a House of Ill Fame (6 counts) and Money Laundering (5 counts). Keplin is charged with one count each of Keeping a House of Ill Fame, Money Laundering, and Possession of Ammunition.

“We allege that these defendants operated massage parlor businesses throughout Middlesex County that served as fronts for illegal activity, including human trafficking and money laundering,” said AG Coakley in a statement.

Authorities say the extensive human trafficking operation allegedly spanned multiple communities including Bedford, Billerica, Medford, Reading, Wilmington, and Woburn. Chen and Keplin were arrested on May 13.

According to authorities, Chen and Keplin allegedly operated massage parlors that actually were fronts for an “extensive” human trafficking operation, including Mystic Health Center in Medford. Through these businesses, authorities allege, Chen and Keplin offered sexual activity between women they employed and their clients in exchange for a fee. They are accused of recruiting women from across the eastern seaboard, transporting and housing them, arranging sexual encounters, and managing the financial operation of the organization.

Chen and Keplin will be arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court at a later date.