Posted on 09/22/2006 6:49:03 PM PDT by coconutt2000
The government's case against two Chinese nationals accused of numerous criminal charges in connection with an alleged prostitution operation that was uncovered in Pago Pago late last month has been bound over to the High Court.
The Chinese nationals, Fu Shen Kuo and Ju Sheng Wang, will appear in High Court this morning for their arraignment where they are expected to enter not guilty pleas.
After hearing sole testimony from police Det. John Cendrowski yesterday afternoon District Court Judge John L. Ward II ruled he found probable cause that the crimes for which the government charged Kuo and Wang may have been committed, and that the defendants may have committed those crimes.
Kuo and Wang each face two counts of promoting prostitution, two counts of kidnapping, two counts of felonious restraint, two counts of harboring an unlawful entrant, and two counts of third-degree assault.
Through a translator, the defendants were able to understand Cendrowski's testimony. After the prosecuting attorney Jonas Walker asked Cendrowski his questions, the defense attorneys didn't have any questions for the police detective.
"I'm just thankful for the opportunity at this hearing because this is the first time that my client understands what the charges are," said Kuo's attorney Sharron Rancourt told Samoa News. "No matter what language one speaks, you need to be able to understand what you're charged with."
Kuo, who has lived here for many years, speaks broken English while Wang doesn't speak English at all. Both have good Immigration records, and they are sponsored by Uiagalelei Iona, who is the deputy director for the Office of Real Property Management.
Rancourt, along with defense attorney Fred Castro, who represents Wang, have had trouble finding a translator to communicate with their clients. Castro said last week that either the translators worked for the government or they just didn't want to get involved with this case.
This week, a translator was finally secured and he is an Asian who lives in the territory.
The basis of the government's case against the defendants stems from a criminal complaint made by two Chinese women, in their mid 20s, who told authorities they were brought here under false pretense, kept against their will and forced into prostitution by Kuo and Wang.
The prostitution operation was housed in a three-story residence rented by Kuo in Pago Pago. The home also houses a nightclub, which was on the second floor, and the two victims lived on the third floor.
Cendrowski testified that the two victims, whom he said were sponsored by lawmaker Fa'alae Tunupopo, were brought here by Wang. Cendrowski said the victims came on 30-day permits and when he checked with Immigration, there were no extensions made to their permits, which means the victims are overstayers.
The police detective testified that Wang told the victims she operates a supermarket and they were invited to work at the supermarket as cashiers. The women arrived here on March 8, and Cendrowski said Kuo and Wang met them at the airport.
The police detective testified that during the first two months, the victims lived on the second floor, then they were later moved to the third floor "to prevent them from escaping." He said the door to the third floor was always locked, and the victims were forbidden to leave the house.
Cendrowski said Kuo and Wang forced the victims to engage in prostitution; the victims worked as hostesses and prostitutes in the nightclub.
He said the victims were threatened by the defendants that their families in China would be harmed if they left the house. Cendrowski said the defendants also told the victim that they "know people in Immigration, police, officials here and off island... including the FBI" so "they have connections here and abroad and they can do anything."
The police detective added that the defendants told the victims that "they can get them passports, do anything they want and they (Kuo and Wang) won't be in trouble."
Regarding the prostitution operation, Cendrowski testified that sex and an overnight stay cost $200, but those who bought sex and didn't stay overnight pay $100.
"When it's a slow night, they (the defendants) drop the price to $80," said Cendrowski.
He also testified the victims didn't want to have sex with the customers, who were mostly Asian fishermen. But when they were forced by the defendants, he said the victims asked that they be given condoms.
Cendrowski said the defendants told them that (90 percent of the customers are clean... no need condoms." He said when they did get condoms, they bought it from Kuo for $7.
According the police detective's testimony, 40 percent of the money collected from the operation was taken by Kuo while 60 percent went to pay sponsors for Immigration issues, rent, and their food.
While Cendrowski was saying this, Wang, who attentively listened to the translator, kept shaking her head back and forth, and sometimes made facial expressions like she was surprised with what was said to her.
On the other hand, Kuo was calm. Every time the translator finished talking, Kuo nodded his head to let the translator know that he was following what was said.
Reach the reporter at la@samoanews.com.
I've brought this up before on FR about the ongoing prostitution slavery in American Samoa. The FBI tried to crack this but most of the women involved are apparently willing participants because the money is so good. At least, that's what they have apparently said. The real truth, in my opinion, is that they are told to either like it or their families in China would be hurt.
The penalty for practicing slavery in US territory should be death.
IMHO American Samoa, particularly Pago Pago, is the armpit of the South Pacific. Welfare and the ensuing corruption. Only redeeming feature is one of the best hospitals for the SP.
Have you been here?
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