Earlier today, Han Lee, James Lee, and Junmyung Lee were arrested for allegedly operating a high-end brothel network in Boston and eastern Virginia. They are currently accused of a conspiracy to coerce and entice to travel for illegal sexual activity. The clientele of this network is reported to include individuals from a wide range of high-paying professions. The investigation related to the involvement of sex buyers is ongoing, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts.
The defendants are alleged to operate several brothels in Cambridge, Watertown, Fairfax, and Tysons. High-end apartment complexes were rented, furnished, and maintained for use as brothels with high rents. They allegedly convinced women to travel to Massachusetts and Virginia to participate in prostitution. These women were also permitted to stay at the brothel locations according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts.
The prostitution network was allegedly primarily advertised on two websites: bostontopten10.com and browneyesgirlsva.blog. Described as professional photography studios with nude Asian models, these websites were platforms for prostitution. The websites listed various details of the women along with their availability for appointments as per details from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts.
Interested sex buyers were required to supply a host of personal and professional information. Local brothel phone numbers facilitated communication with verified customers and the scheduling of appointments. A "menu" of options, including the available women, services, and rates, which fell between $350 and $600 per hour, was sent to customers.
In an attempt to disguise their illicit earnings, it is alleged that the defendants deposited large cash amounts into personal bank accounts and made peer-to-peer transfers. To mask their cash sources, they purchased money orders falling below the reporting and identification threshold and used these to pay brothel-related expenses as mentioned by U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts.
The investigation was led by Joshua S. Levy, Acting U.S. Attorney; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Cambridge Police Commissioner Christine Elow. Assistance was received from several federal and local departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey E. Weinstein of the Criminal Division and Raquelle Kaye of the Asset Recovery Unit.
Though the charging documents contain serious allegations, the defendants are regarded as innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The public is urged to contact [email protected] to share relevant information or voice concerns about the case.
