Crime, Law and Justice

Federal authorities charge 2 people with operating a prostitution ring in West Fargo

Entry to Federal Courthouse in Fargo.
The Federal Courthouse in Fargo is named after long-time U.S. Senator Quentin Burdick, D-N.D.
Bob Reha | MPR News

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A woman who authorities say moved to the Fargo area from China three years ago allegedly ran a prostitution ring in West Fargo hotels. Prosecutors say she would arrange for young Chinese women to come to Fargo, and that she exploited and victimized them to serve a "trusted client base."

Federal prosecutors in North Dakota have arrested two people for allegedly running a commercial sex operation in West Fargo.

A grand jury indictment charged Wanting Qiu, 54, with more than a dozen counts, including racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, money laundering and coercion for purposes of prostitution.

Prosecutors allege Qiu arranged for multiple young women to come from China to Fargo. She is accused of "exploitation of Chinese nationals," and "victimizing young women," as she ran a commercial sex operation out of local hotels for a “trusted client base.”

She's also charged with making false statements to immigration officials.

A second defendant, 76-year-old William Clyde Satrang, is charged with conspiracy to use interstate and foreign facilities in aid of racketeering. Satrang has a long criminal history in the Fargo area and was previously indicted in a federal drug conspiracy years prior.

A federal judge ordered Qui to be detained pending trial and released Satrang on bond.