BOSTON – Three people were arrested Wednesday for allegedly operating a ring of high-end brothels out of apartment complexes in Cambridge, Watertown and Virginia.
“This commercial sex ring was built on secrecy and exclusivity, catering to a wealthy and well-connected clientele,” Acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua Levy said at a news conference in Boston.
“They’re doctors, they’re lawyers, they’re accountants, they’re executives at high-tech companies, pharmaceutical companies, they’re military officers, government contractors, professors, scientists. Pick a profession, they’re probably represented in this sector.” case.”
The three arrested — Junmyung Lee, 30, of Dedham, Han Lee, 41, of Cambridge, and James Lee, 68, of Torrance, Calif. — are charged with conspiracy to coerce and induce travel to engage to illegal activities. sexual activity.
Han Lee and Junmyung Lee will be arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Boston federal court. James Lee was arrested in California and will be brought to Boston for arraignment. Levy said that, as early as July 2020, the three operated multiple brothels in several states by luring primarily Asian women to travel to Massachusetts and Virginia to work as prostitutes.
They allegedly operated through two websites, advertising nude Asian models for professional photography in high-end studios, as a front for prostitution.
The three upscale apartments rented in Cambridge, Watertown and eastern Virginia as brothels, prosecutors said. Rent for some reached $3,664 a month.
Appointments cost between $350 and $600 an hour and are paid in cash, according to Levy. Investigators said customers had to fill out a form with their name, business information, email address, phone number and a reference before they could make an appointment. Patrons were then given a “menu” of options at the brothel.
“Business is booming until today,” he told reporters, adding that the investigation was far from over.
If convicted, each of the three could face up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact [email protected].