MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—A Marion County Grand Jury has indicted Xiaoping Peng, a 53-year-old resident of Chicago, Illinois, on multiple serious charges linked to a prostitution enterprise operating out of the Chinese Spa located at 1288 Delaware Avenue in Marion. The indictment includes charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, two counts of trafficking in persons for involuntary servitude, and two counts of promoting prostitution.
Peng was arraigned today in front of Judge Todd Anderson, who set his bond at a staggering $1,000,000.
A Chinese national, Peng allegedly entered the United States illegally during the Biden administration and managed to remain in the country based on an asylum claim. The Grand Jury’s indictment follows an extensive investigation by the Marion Police Department that uncovered Peng’s involvement in transporting women across state lines for sex work at the spa. The offenses dated back to between March 6, 2025, and June 17, 2025, when a raid revealed evidence of ongoing victim exploitation.
According to officials, Peng served as a courier, facilitating both the movement of money and the transportation of women, effectively contributing to a network that placed victims into involuntary servitude through recruitment and maintenance for sexual exploitation.
Marion County Prosecutor, Grogan, highlighted the interstate dimension of the crimes, which involved moving victims from Illinois to Ohio, underscoring the necessity for potential federal coordination if the operation extends beyond state lines.
If convicted, Peng faces substantial prison time, with each first-degree felony carrying a potential sentence of up to 11 years, in addition to possible fines.
Grogan urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity at similar establishments, emphasizing that community tips initiated this investigation. He stated that this case serves as a critical reminder of the hidden victims often coerced or trafficked from out of state, and reassured that his team is committed to providing support to any identified survivors through local advocacy resources.
“Human trafficking thrives in the shadows, but we’re shining a light on it here in Marion,” Grogan said. “Peng’s arrest serves as a warning to all exploiters: we will track you down, no matter how far you travel, and hold you accountable.”
By law, all charged defendants, including Peng, are presumed innocent until proven guilty.