by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Song Ja Cha has filed a notice of her intent to appeal her conviction and life sentence with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The mastermind behind the prostitution ring at the former Blue House Lounge was sentenced to life in prison for bringing young Chuukese women to Guam under false pretenses and forcing them to work as hostesses and prostitutes.

Cha and two of her co-defendants, Saknin Weria and Freda Eseun, also face criminal charges in the Superior Court of Guam that are similar to federal charges. The three are scheduled to appear in the superior court this morning for a criminal trial setting, although it is likely now that the federal case is over, the government will seek dismissal of the pending local charges.