Two Alamance County men were arrested today on felony prostitution charges. A third man was not located but felony warrants for his arrest are currently outstanding. After the arrests, searches of three residences were conducted in relation to the criminal charges. The warrants for both the arrests and related searches were obtained by agents of the State Bureau of Investigation.
Other agencies assisting in the arrests and subsequent searches included the Burlington Police Department, ICE Homeland Security Investigations, Alamance County Sheriff’s Office, and the Graham Police Department.
John Wendell Moore, 58, of Burlington, was charged with one count of statutory rape or sexual offense of a person who is 13, 14 or 15 years old and one count of patronizing a prostitute who is a minor. The charges relate to actions undertaken by Moore during June or July of this year. Moore was taken into custody without incident at his place of employment.
Jin Qin Chen, 38, of Burlington, was charged with one count of statutory rape or sexual offense of a person who is 13, 14 or 15 years old and two counts of patronizing a prostitute who is a minor. The charges relate to actions undertaken by Chen during June or July of this year. Chen has yet to be located and anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts is asked to call the Burlington Police Department Crime Stoppers at (336) 229-7100.
Nathen Vance Newlin, 30, of Graham, was charged with one count of patronizing a prostitute who is a minor. The charges relate to actions undertaken by Newlin during June or July of this year. Newlin was taken into custody without incident at his residence.
The three residences searched today include two apartments in the Alamance Reserve Apartments complex and a single family residence in Graham. Based on the sensitivity of the investigation, and consultation with the District Attorney’s office, a decision was made to seal the search warrants for ninety days.
The Burlington Police Department requested assistance from ICE Homeland Security Investigations and the State Bureau of Investigation after initiating the investigation.
The joint investigation is currently ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated as the case continues to develop.
All of the agencies involved with today’s enforcement actions recognize the importance of any investigation involving the exploitation or abuse of all children.