Prominent Politicians, Military Officers, and More Arrested in DOJ's High-End Prostitution Bust
Three individuals arrested for running a sophisticated high-end brothel network in Massachusetts and Virginia, catering to a clientele of influential figures including elected officials, military officers, and government contractors with security clearances, according to the Justice Department
The Justice Department announced on Wednesday that three individuals have been arrested for running an upscale brothel network in Massachusetts and Virginia. The clientele of this network included elected officials, military officers, and government contractors who held security clearances. During a press conference in Boston, Joshua Levy, acting US attorney for Massachusetts, highlighted the diverse range of professions represented in this case.
Levy did not disclose any information about the clients of the brothels. It was mentioned that various search warrants are currently being executed in Massachusetts, California, and Virginia.
Han Lee, a 41-year-old resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts; James Lee, a 68-year-old resident of Torrance, California; and Junmyung Lee, a 30-year-old resident of Dedham, Massachusetts, have been accused of conspiring to coerce and entice individuals to travel for the purpose of participating in illegal sexual activities. They are scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston on Wednesday or on a later date.
During the summer of 2022, investigators traced the activities of three individuals who engaged in transporting women. These individuals not only advertised the women online for selection by pre-approved clients, but also operated brothels in rented apartments. According to Levy, the case involved the identification of numerous buyers who were part of this operation, spanning various professions.
"They encompass various professions such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, elected officials, high-ranking executives in the technology and pharmaceutical sectors, military officers, government contractors, professors, and scientists. These individuals play a significant role in sustaining the operations of this illicit sex trafficking network."
"According to Levy, there could potentially be numerous individuals who have engaged in buying these commercial sex services. It is important to highlight that the investigation is still in its preliminary phase."
The prostitution network primarily utilized two websites that promoted appointments with women of Asian descent, as per an affidavit filed in court by a special agent from Homeland Security Investigations.
Around 20 sex buyers were reportedly interviewed by the agent as part of the ongoing investigation, revealing some intriguing details. Among them, one customer recounted receiving a text message from a brothel, providing a list of women, available sexual services, and their respective hourly rates.
According to the agent, the establishments in question are considered to be of a "high-end" nature due to the exorbitant rental fees associated with the premises and the diverse range of professional backgrounds exhibited by the sex buyers involved.
According to the agent, the customers' identities are not disclosed in the affidavit due to the ongoing and active nature of the investigation.
CNN has contacted the legal representatives of Junmyung Lee and Han Lee. James Lee does not have a listed attorney on the court docket.
