Two Indicted In Connection With Human Trafficking Enterprise With Reading Ties

By Christopher Gambon

Two individuals have been indicted on multiple counts of human trafficking and money laundering after an investigation into an extensive criminal enterprise that spans the borders of several area communities including Wilmington, according to a release from Massachusetts Attorney General 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)
  
• Deriving Support from Prostitution (6 counts each)
  

Authorities allege the operation spanned multiple communities including Wilmington, Bedford, Billerica, Medford, Reading and Woburn.

"We allege that these individuals ran an extensive local human trafficking organization through what outwardly appeared to be legitimate businesses in multiple communities," Coakley said during a May 13 press conference at the Wilmington Police Department.

Authorities allege that Chen and Keplin operated six area businesses portrayed as massage parlors that were fronts for their human trafficking operation. The businesses are:

• Bedford Asian Bodywork (Bedford Wellness Center) in Bedford
• Shrine Spa (Billerica Bodywork or Boston Chinese Club) in Billerica
• Mystic Health Center in Medford
• Body Wellness Center in Reading
• Body Language in Wilmington
• Asian Bodywork (Woburn Wellness Bodywork) in Woburn

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