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Girls forced into prostitution, feds say

CHICAGO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The owner of a Chicago area massage parlor forced minors into prostitution, federal authorities charge.

Alex Campbell of Glenview, Ill., was originally arrested in January and charged with attempted extortion after he offered to help an employee of his Day and Night Spa in Mount Prospect with immigration if she paid him $13,000, The Daily Herald of Arlington Heights, Ill., reported. He also allegedly made her engage in sex with another worker, which he recorded on his cell phone, the original complaint stated.

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A new indictment issued Thursday charges Campbell with sex trafficking of children by force, fraud or coercion, harboring aliens and concealing his workers' passports with the intent of forced labor.

One victim said he forced workers to tattoo a horseshoe and the numbers 9-17 -- reportedly his birthday -- on their bodies, authorities said.

Employee Danielle John said in federal court in November that she helped Campbell hide the women's illegal status.

The U.S. attorney sought an order in October to protect workers who are expected to testify against Campbell. He is being held in federal custody without bond.

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