Women were told they might get $800 a day, affidavit says
| • | Witness arrest warrants used in prostitution case |
By Ken Kobayashi
Advertiser Courts Writer
The owner of a Ward Avenue business purporting to be a massage establishment put out the word that prostitutes could make $700 to $800 a day if they were "very pretty," and $300 to $500 a day if they weren't, according to an affidavit by a federal agent.
Wan Yo Kang, 37, also known as "Hannah," also told two Los Angeles women they could make $15,000 to $20,000 a month, the document said.
Kang was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday on 11 felony counts of traveling across state lines to promote or manage prostitution activity in February 2005, enticing women to travel interstate to engage in prostitution and harboring two immigrants here illegally at her business, 350 Ward Ave., suite 115.
The charges each carry maximum prison terms of five or 20 years in prison.
The indictment returned last week came after federal prosecutors arrested nine women on rarely-used material witness warrants in connection with the case.
All nine, including two who were "enticed" to travel here from Los Angeles, admitted they engaged in sex for pay, according to the affidavit by Byron Tanaka, special agent with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Kang urged the Los Angeles women to tell their Los Angeles prostitute friends about the money they could make, the affidavit said.
The affidavit said customers paid $40 to $50 for a massage at Kang's business known as "350 Relaxation," then were charged typically $100 or $150 for sex.
The nine women paid Wang $500 a week from their prostitution earnings for rent and food, the affidavit said.
Kang had been living in Honolulu, but moved to Los Angeles after the police raid at her business on Aug. 23, federal prosecutors said in court papers.
She turned herself in to Los Angeles authorities on Oct. 3. Despite the prosecution's request here to hold her without bail, Kang was released on bond, but will be under electronic monitoring.
Her arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 24.
Her lawyer, Gary Laff of Los Angeles, did not return calls for comment.
Reach Ken Kobayashi at kkobayashi@honoluluadvertiser.com.
