Police Break up Sex Rings Doing Business at Three Sunset Homes

By Carol Dimmick

San Francisco police have shut down three houses of prostitution since January catering to Asian clientele that were operating in the Sunset District.

According to officers involved in the cases, the credit goes to neighbors who alerted the police and provided critical information that led to the success of the operations.

"The neighbors got involved - they complained. We rely on them," said Inspector Ed Del Carlo, a member of the Vice Crimes Unit at the San Francisco Police Department.

What seems like a rash of sex crimes in this sleepy residential community is really not that unusual. According to Del Carlo, houses of prostitution that cater to an Asian clientele are flourishing all over the city, including the Sunset District.

"Typically what happens is someone rents a house and the next thing you know a million guys are coming in. They cater to Asian clientele, mostly construction workers. They charge $200 - the house gets $100, the women get $100," Del Carlo said.

Acting on numerous complaints from neighbors that men were seen coming and going from a residence at 1463 32nd Ave. at all hours of the night, police officers began an undercover operation April 26.

Del Carlo arranged for a $40 massage by answering an ad in the S.F. Weekly and sent an undercover officer to the residence. After the officer was told by Shi Wei Deng, 22, of Monterey Park, that she charged $140 for oral sex, a team of five officers entered the home and cited Deng for solicitation. She was released at the scene. Seven other people in the house were not cited, but police confiscated a 9mm pistol and ammunition.

Earlier, a team of three police officers from the Taraval Police Station shut down a house of prostitution at 2566 39th Ave. after receiving numerous complaints from neighbors.

Police cited David Chen, 26, Bing Juan Zhan, 38, Chia Yee Tsag, 40, and Li Ping Zheng, 39, for keeping or living in a house of prostitution.

According to information in the police report for the bust, Chen, Zhan and Zheng live in the Los Angeles area. Police also confiscated more than $6,000 in cash at the residence, along with three cellular phones and an address book.

The four defendants failed to show up for a scheduled court appearance May 20 and warrants were issued for their arrest.

In late January, police shut down a third prostitution ring operating out of a residence on 41st Avenue. Again, police credited neighbors with providing information that led to the closure of the house of ill repute.

According to some police officers, the District Attorney is reluctant to prosecute public nuisance cases, like prostitution.

"These cases are typically referred to the community dispute court system. If a person has no criminal record they are eligible for a fine, community service and counseling. Criminal proceedings are basically suspended," Del Carlo said.