Former Billings restaurant owner sentenced to 10 years in prison for rape

Chien “Howard” Hwa Shen was working as a contractor for Wild Ginger and Carne Brazilian Grill when he raped one woman, molested another and pressured several others to have sex for money over a period of several years. Eight women testified during his criminal trial against Chen, three of whom returned to Yellowstone County District Court on Friday.

“I hope that sharing my story will not only bring justice,” said one survivor, “but also ensure that no one else has to suffer in the same way. As a mother, I want to create a safer world for my children and for all people who may be victims of sexual harassment.”

Charges against Shen were first filed in Yellowstone County District Court nearly four years ago. Two women told police they were sexually abused by Shen. Shen had cornered a woman in the restroom of one of his restaurants, pulled down her underwear and assaulted her. After raping her, the survivor later testified in court, Shen tried to give her cash. Less than a month later, Shen grabbed a second survivor’s breast after giving her cash from his wallet, the pay bonus he had promised her, according to court testimony.

In the years after the first allegations came to light, investigations into the extent of his abuse expanded. Following those allegations, six women joined a lawsuit against Shen, claiming he sexually harassed them and subjected them to offensive remarks. Also named as a defendant in the lawsuit was Shen’s wife, Ting Ting “Tina” Wu, who was the sole shareholder of Wild Ginger and the majority shareholder of Carne Brazilian Grill. According to court records, the lawsuit was settled in December 2022.

At his trial in June 2023, Shen was charged with nine crimes. At the end of the nearly two-week trial, he was convicted of four felonies and two misdemeanors, including rape, sexual assault and prostitution. Two women, one of whom was 16 when she started working for Shen, testified during the trial that he offered them money for sex on several occasions, sometimes as much as $2,000. One woman said she was checking a soap dispenser in the restroom of one of his restaurants when Shen slid a hand into her bra and left cash inside. After groping another woman in the dishwashing area of ​​a restaurant, Shen stuffed $80 into her bra.

The jury found Shen guilty of abusing six of the eight women who testified. After his conviction, he was incarcerated in the Yellowstone County Detention Center.

Two survivors of Shen’s abuse testified in person Friday, while Yellowstone County Prosecutor Arielle Dean read the court the testimony of a third survivor. One woman described the experience of having to repeatedly share the details of her abuse with police, lawyers and the jury, as if nearly healed wounds were being reopened.

“Many, including myself, have learned to hide, smile and focus on others,” Dean said, reading from the survivor’s statement. “But it’s time to come into the light and shed the heavy burden that keeps us from reaching our full, wonderful potential. That’s what I plan to do now.”

Richard Brown, vice president at Wyo-Ben, a local bentonite manufacturer, testified on behalf of Shen, who maintained his innocence during his sentencing. The two met in 2017 and Brown testified that he considered Chen a friend. Brown described Shen as a generous and kind man who focused on two things: his business and his family. Through his business, Brown said, Shen also provided well-paying jobs for hundreds of people in Billings.

“Howard is basically a good person who made some mistakes,” he said.

District attorneys recommended a 50-year prison sentence for Shen, with 10 years suspended. Dean said Shen is a sex offender who abused his position of power to exploit his employees. Attorneys representing Shen asked for a 10-year sentence in the Department of Corrections, with five years suspended.

Yellowstone County District Judge Jessica Fehr sentenced Shen to a net term of 20 years in the Montana State Prison, with 10 years suspended. During that probation, Shen will remain under the supervision of the DOC.

“There are no winners today,” said Fehr, who also presided over Shen’s trial. “Today’s verdict ends the criminal proceedings, at least with regard to the identified victims.”