Authorities arrest Chinese Nationalist in Harrison, Ark., as part of human trafficking raid; 3 others arrested statewide - KY3

[Christopher Replogle, Charmelle O'Dell]

HARRISON, Ark. (Edited News Release/KY3) - Authorities arrested four Chinese Nationalists, including one in Harrison, at massage parlors across the state in a human trafficking raid.

On Friday, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin detailed the execution of search warrants at 12 locations across the state as part of Operation Obscured Vision to combat human trafficking. The raid resulted in assisting 17 victims.

“I’m super freaked out,” said Amber Bartlett after finding out one of the massage parlors was in the heart of Harrison, where she lives.

The Operation Obscured Vision raids led to the arrests of these Chinese Nationalists:

• Haiyan Lu, 54, of Harrison, one count of Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree
• Qing Chen, 53, of Jonesboro, one count of Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree
• Hongliang Cai, 55, of Jonesboro, one count of Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree
• Chunli Wang, 50, of Rogers, one count of Sexual Assault in the Second Degree

“Operation Obscured Vision was coordinated by my office’s Special Investigations Division and executed by local law enforcement, and victim advocates groups to expose the pervasive issue of illicit massage parlors in Arkansas, rescue the victims of human trafficking, and permanently end the presence of illicit massage parlors in our state,” said Attorney General Tim Griffin.

Amber had no idea the business was even here. But after hearing about the news, she says it’s a reminder that trafficking can happen anywhere—even in small towns like Harrison.

“I do have four kids and their safety is the top priority for me,” she said.

Investigators say many of the women working in these illicit massage parlors are coerced to do so. One victim we interviewed stated that she is forced to work seven days a week, 13 hours per day.

“I am proud to announce that local law enforcement, with coordination by my office, executed 12 search warrants at illicit massage parlors in Jonesboro, Russellville, Hot Springs, Rogers, Harrison, and a Little Rock hotel,” said Attorney General Griffin. “I congratulate the local police officers, sheriff’s deputies, the Arkansas State Police, and Special Agents in my office for successfully executing this operation.”

The 17 victims range in age from 29-65. And sixteen accepted services from medical staff and victim’s advocates.

“This operation is just a first step,” said Attorney General Griffin. “The intelligence and evidence obtained through Operation Obscured Vision will be used in ongoing investigations and will aid in targeting similar massage parlors elsewhere in the state. The criminals who run these establishments and the men who patronize them are on notice. We are coming for you, and we will put an end to this horrific practice of exploiting women through human trafficking.”

For now, the mom says she’ll be mindful about where she goes and what businesses she can trust.

“If they don’t have a tons of views or if one of my family members haven’t been there ain’t no way I’m going, ain’t no way!” said Bartlett.

Participating law enforcement agencies in Operation Obscured Vision included:

• Arkansas Attorney General’s Office Special Investigations Division
• Arkansas State Police
• Arkansas State Fusion Center
• Jonesboro Police Department
• Harrison Police Department
• Rogers Police Department
• Benton County Sheriff’s Office
• Russellville Police Department
• Little Rock Police Department
• Hot Springs Police Department

Prosecuting Attorneys participating in Operation Obscured Vision include:

• Sonia Hagood, Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney
• Jeff Phillips, Fifth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney
• Will Jones, Sixth Judicial Prosecuting Attorney
• David Ethredge, Fourteenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney
• Michelle Lawrence, Eighteenth-East Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney
• Bryan Sexton, Nineteenth-West Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney

Advocate groups participating in Operation Obscured Vision included:

• Arkansas Human Trafficking Council
• Into the Light
• Freedom Finders
• Hope Found
• NWA Forensic Nursing Team/REACH
• NWA Sexual Assault Center
• We Are Free
• Regional Intervention of Sexual Exploitation (RISE)
• Children’s Protection Center (CPC) Little Rock

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