Two brothel owners from California who had set up shop in Minot were sentenced to prison today (Aug 4).

Trina Nguyen and Loc Tran were sentenced to four years and two years respectively behind bars after their sex-for-sale businesses were shut down by state authorities.

And business did not slow after Nguyen and Tran's initial arrest. While out on bond, they simply moved the operations to Dickinson and Williston.  The case was then sent to federal court.

The two "tried to minimize their roles in the sex businesses," according The Bismarck Tribune's Bakken Breakout -- but U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland wasn't buying it, stating, "You’re both equally responsible and you both were involved in the day-to-day operations."

Both will also be required to pay $9,777 in restitution and serve five years of supervised release once their prison sentences are complete.

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