Seventh District Court Judge Brendon Taylor sentenced a 62-year-old woman to prison for prostitution trafficking Friday in the Bonneville County Courthouse in Idaho Falls.
Xue Fang Lu, 62, was sentenced to five years fixed and 15 years determinate. Lu received credit for 252 days already served in jail. She must serve a minimum of five years before being eligible to apply for parole.
A Bonneville County jury found Lu guilty on March 6 of felony interstate trafficking of prostitution and felony procurement of prostitution related to an illicit massage business that operated out of the Fairbridge Inn in Idaho Falls from March to May 2024.
An investigation by Idaho Falls Police revealed that a victim was brought to Idaho Falls and was required to be available 24 hours a day for clients.
In the eight weeks the victim was in Idaho Falls, she journeyed only once more than 30 yards from her hotel room.
“There is a significant amount of misinformation circulating about this case,” said Randy Neal, Bonneville County prosecuting attorney. “It’s important to recognize this was an investigation into trafficking, not prostitution, which simply served as the underlying crime. The victim, who was brought here from a foreign country had no family or support system here.”
Neal said sex traffickers have changed their methods.
“Traffickers have adapted to get around the law, and it seldom takes the form that most people see in movies like “Taken,” Neal said.
The victim described being involved with an international criminal organization well known to law enforcement, Neal said. Law enforcement also has evidence that Lu was involved in a similar operation in a neighboring state.
Text messages between Lu and the victim indicated dangerous practices, including unprotected sex for a higher price.
“Law enforcement agencies throughout Bonneville County are committed to working together to keep these kinds of illegal activities from getting a toehold in our community,” Neal said.
The prosecutor also announced that charges will not be reinstated against Gordon Dennis Shaw, 82, who was arrested with Lu.
“Some have publicly stated suspicions of what this elderly man, who currently lives in an assisted living center, knew and how he was involved but suspicion is not evidence,” Neal said. “The insufficiency of evidence to convict the man is the only factor I considered in my decision not to reinstate charges.”