Two Burien residents who reportedly operate a massage parlor on Ambaum Boulevard Southwest are in custody after agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Burien police officers executed federal criminal search warrants at the establishment as part of an investigation into a prostitution and money-laundering scheme.

Tham Nguyen, 48, and Suong Tran, 51, were arrested April 22. They face charges of conspiracy to transport individuals in furtherance of prostitution and conspiracy to engage in money laundering. A federal grand jury handed down a two-count indictment against them Wednesday, April 21.

Investigators said they operate the Bamboo Sauna at 14021 Ambaum Blvd. S.W.

According to court documents, the defendants also owned and operated massage parlors in Auburn and Kirkland, three similar businesses in California and a legal brothel in Nevada. It is alleged the massage parlors were, in fact, fronts for prostitution.

Investigators allege that beginning in 2007, the defendants recruited women from out-of-state to work as prostitutes and arranged for the women to be moved among their businesses, generating substantial profits. Financial records from the businesses also reveal the defendants conspired to conceal the source and proceeds from the illegal activity, according to charging papers.

"Addressing the exploitation of women, particularly in this manner, remains a high priority for ICE," said Leigh Winchell, special agent in charge of ICE's Office of Investigations in Seattle. "We stand shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and deter this type of illegal activity."

"This is a great example of law enforcement at several levels working together to combat a significant problem that plagues communities and crosses state lines," said King County Sheriff Sue Rahr. "The Sheriff's Office is very pleased to be a member of this partnership."
The government is seeking criminal forfeiture of any property or proceeds gained from the illegal activity. This case is being prosecuted in the Western District of Washington.

ICE was joined in this investigation by sheriff's departments in King County and Burien.