Brooklyn Man Nabbed in Westfield Short-Term Sex Ring Bust

"Westfield police say what looked like a routine short-term rental in the city was actually operating as a prostitution site, and two people are now under arrest after officers executed a search warrant. Investigators allege they uncovered thousands of dollars in cash, cocaine and items tied to sex work inside the home, and have already asked prosecutors to consider additional charges."

"Police charged Chaopeng Chen with promoting prostitution and cocaine possession, while Qingping Chen faces a misdemeanor prostitution count. Investigators say the FBI and Homeland Security were involved in the probe, and that officers secured a search warrant before going into the property. Inside, they reported finding more than $7,500 in cash, cocaine and additional items they say were connected to prostitution."

"Police allege multiple men traveled to the rental after agreeing to pay for sex acts, and that Chaopeng Chen acted as a kind of front-desk operator, checking people in and out. Detectives asked the Hamilton County prosecutor's office to charge the man seen entering the home with making an unlawful proposition. At the time of the search, that man had not been formally charged."

"The bust has added fuel to ongoing worries about how short-term rentals can turn into pop-up hubs for crime or disruptive gatherings. Hoodline previously covered the Fountain Square Airbnb raid, where officers reported finding weapons and suspected narcotics at another rental property. Cases like these have neighbors pushing for more oversight and have sparked city-level talk about tightening the rules around short-term stays."

Westfield police reported that a short-term rental was operating as a prostitution site rather than a routine stay. Officers executed a search warrant and arrested Chaopeng Chen and Qingping Chen. Investigators alleged they found more than $7,500 in cash, cocaine, and items connected to sex work inside the home. Police said multiple men traveled to the rental after agreeing to pay for sex acts. Chaopeng Chen was described as acting like a front-desk operator by checking people in and out. Investigators asked the Hamilton County prosecutor’s office to consider additional charges, including an unlawful proposition charge for a man seen entering the property. Witness interviews and evidence review were ongoing.

Read at Hoodline