A Los Angeles man, his wife and his ex-wife are the target of federal charges for allegedly running a "large-scale prostitution enterprise" that brought Eastern European woman to become sex workers in Southern California, authorities said Tuesday. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Justice. An affidavit filed in the case states that the prostitutes came from Eastern Europe and Russia, staying in the United States for up to three months at a time depending on their immigration status.
The women worked shifts at private residences where appointments were offered in 30 or 60 minute increments, with a referral-based customer pool. The women speak limited English, according to the affidavit.. They were subject to a hearing in federal court in Santa Ana Monday afternoon and are being held without bail. Investigators believe Kassianova, pictured below at right, may be out of the country.
She is still being sought, according to the release. Kassianova claims to be the sister of Hakopyan's current wife, Muravyeva, according to the affidavit.
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Two other Los Angeles residences were searched as well Monday: an apartment in a high-rise building in the block of Hollywood Boulevard map , and another apartment in a multi-unit building in the block of Wilshire Boulevard map.
