Former Blue House owner Song Ja Cha was found guilty by a jury of all 20 counts, including conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, nine counts of sex trafficking by force fraud or coercion, sex trafficking of a minor, nine counts of coercion and enticement to travel for the purpose of prostitution, and one count of coercion of a minor.
Cha was taken into custody immediately following the verdict, and her sentencing is scheduled for May 18.
The forfeiture allegation of over $250,000 seized from Blue House was postponed by prosecutor Jared Fishman and is scheduled for a bench trial May 11.
“The Department of Justice is very pleased and satisfied with the jury’s verdict,” said United States Attorney for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, Alicia A.G. Limtiaco. “We believe that justice has been served for these victims as well as for the entire community,” she added.
Limtiaco also said that she will continue what she started as Guam attorney general to go after human trafficking offenders.
“This verdict serves as a message to all these individuals, organizations, businesses here in Guam and the NMI that are conducting illegal activities exploiting women and men in sex trafficking as well as labor trafficking,” Limtiaco said.
The jury of two men and 10 women heard testimony over the course of a week and decided they agreed with the victims who testified against Cha.
The young Chuukese girls recalled being excited to get a job on Guam as a waitress, and then horrified when Cha forced them to go into lockable VIP rooms with men and perform sexual acts.
At least one girl testified that she was a virgin before being forced into prostitution by Cha.
Blue House was owned by Cha and her husband In Han Cha who was also charged in the indictment, but passed away about eight months ago.
The raid by Guam Police Department came in April 2007 after a girl who Cha decided was too fat to work at her club called the police after Cha refused to return her passport.
Other police officers, like Officer David Q. Manila, had a relationship with Cha and visited her establishment regularly. Manila testified last Friday that he would go to the Blue House and on at least one occasion, “had sex,” with one of the girls for about $40.
Manila also testified that he advised the girls that they could not leave until they paid Mrs. Cha any money they owed her. Authorities confirmed that a federal investigation is underway into Manila’s testimony. The AGO is looking into the matter and GPD is conducting an internal affairs investigation.
The victims testified that Cha kept them under her service by locking away their passports and through fear and intimidation from physical violence as well as threats of arrest.
Limtiaco said the conviction would not have been possible without the “brave,” victims who stood up in court to give their testimony.
She said the victim shelters and support services from the Allee Shelter, Catholic Social Services, and Guma Esperansa were “critical,” in helping the victims get their voices heard.
Cha’s attorney, Howard Trapp, said he will file a motion for a new trial, and if that is denied he will appeal the verdict. He argued that the girls were willing participants and only said they were being forced in order to avoid arrest for prostitution.
