NYC Gazette

A federal jury in Brooklyn has convicted Siyang Chen and Yichu Chen for their roles in a Queens-based sex trafficking and prostitution ring. The verdict was delivered after a month-long trial presided over by United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano.

Siyang Chen was found guilty of several charges, including sex trafficking conspiracy, assaults in-aid-of racketeering, and Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy. He had previously pleaded guilty to multiple counts in the superseding indictment. Yichu Chen was convicted for the robbery and assault of a sex worker in Centreville, Virginia, on September 15, 2020. Siyang Chen faces up to life imprisonment while Yichu Chen could receive up to 20 years when sentenced.

The announcement came from Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James E. Dennehy from the FBI's New York Field Office; and Thomas G. Donlon from the NYPD.

“The trial evidence provided a behind-the-scenes view of the horrific machinations of a sex trafficking organization in all its inhumanity and violence motivated by greed,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This verdict is a victory for justice and for the victims who were subjected to brutal beatings and degrading treatment at the hands of the defendants."

Peace expressed gratitude towards various law enforcement agencies across multiple states that assisted with the case.

“For three years, Siyang Chen managed a national sex trafficking operation designed to establish a monopoly over their victimized workers through organized attacks,” said FBI Assistant Director Dennehy.

“This verdict delivers a modicum of justice to the courageous survivors who endured unconscionable treatment at the hands of these men,” added NYPD Interim Commissioner Donlon.

Between April 2019 and September 2021, Siyang Chen led an operation that trafficked women nationwide using violent tactics against commercial sex workers to protect their business interests. Evidence presented during trial included graphic depictions of violence shared among members via WeChat messages.

Yichu Chen was part of this violent enterprise’s "hit team," recruited specifically by Siyang Chen for attacks on rival operations' workers. During one such attack ordered by Siyang Chen, Yichu assaulted a woman with a metal breaker bar after zip-tying her wrists behind her back.

Ten co-defendants have already pleaded guilty concerning this criminal enterprise while awaiting sentencing alongside others convicted relatedly.

Assistant U.S Attorneys Matthew R Galeotti; Sophia M Suarez; Stephanie Pak prosecuted under guidance from Paralegal Specialist Anna November within both Organized Crime & Gangs/Civil Rights Sections respectively handling government’s case efforts hereon out moving forward judicially speaking beyond today's conclusion reached unanimously regarding aforementioned parties implicated herein ongoing matter proceedings thereby concluding coverage update presently reported timely manner contemporaneously detailed hereinabove noted account published accordingly forthwith furtherance purposes factually relayed information dissemination aim provide accurate public knowledge awareness contextually relevant interest audience reader engagement comprehensive understanding issue subject addressed therein entirety without reservation objection duly considered thoughtfully approach taken documentations thereof referenced materiality concern primary source reliability accountability basis upon relied 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