Colorado Springs illicit spa owner found guilty of pimping
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- On Friday afternoon, an El Paso County jury found Xinan Xia, 56, guilty of felony pimping, a single count of keeping a place of prostitution, and pandering for prostitution.
Xia was the owner of Rose Day Spa in Colorado Springs which was busted by the Colorado Springs Police Department in December 2020.
Xia was at the center of 13 Investigates ongoing investigation into illicit spas with ties to human trafficking in greater Colorado Springs.
BREAKING: The owner of Rose Spa in Colorado Springs, 56-year old Xinan Xia, is found guilty on all three counts: felony pimping, pandering for prostitution and keeping a place for prostitution. @KRDONC13 #13Investigates pic.twitter.com/PkmqM3uu8e
— Dan Beedie KRDO (@BeedieonTV) April 22, 2022
Colorado Springs detectives testified that they never saw a woman go into the spa for a massage during their surveillance in July 2020.
During the trial, a Colorado Springs detective testified that he asked Rose Spa employees for extra sexual services during a massage while he was undercover. The Rose Spa employee responded with hand signs indicating that it would cost an additional $50.
During Friday's closing arguments, prosecutors pointed out that the Rose Spa's bank account was Xia's name, Xia owned the business, and Xia had women working 80 plus hours a week.
Even though police testified that the female Rose Spa employees are victims, Xia's defense was adamant they were not.
"They were not victims," Defense Attorney Michael Harris said following his client's guilty verdict. "The DA agreed they aren't victims. "It's just people run to assumptions."
On Tuesday, a female Rose Spa employee, and the ex-girlfriend of Xia pleaded the fifth. Even though investigators called the two female Rose Spa employees "victims" on the stand, the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office did not offer at least one of the ex-girlfriend immunity from prostitution charges in exchange for their testimony.
Jury members that spoke with 13 Investigates were conflicted on calling the Rose Spa employees "victims." However, they were certain of the charges laid at Xia's feet.
“He wasn’t 100% responsible for the act of prostitution, but he did not stop it," said Katelyn Little, a jury member during the 4 day Xinan Xia trial. "We believe he was knowing in all of these.”
Xia was permitted to walk out of the courthouse on Friday, as he is out on bond. The convicted pimp's sentencing hearing isn't until July.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Previous coverage:
State rests its case in Colorado Springs illicit spa trial
Trial for alleged illicit spa owner in Colorado Springs begins
Former employee at Colorado Springs illicit massage parlor pleads the fifth
