Federal authorities are investigating a network of “sophisticated high-end brothels” frequented by politicians, military officers and government contractors, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.
So far, three people have been arrested in connection with the operation of brothels in Massachusetts and Virginia.
“Buyers of commercial sex allegedly included elected officials, pharmaceutical and high-tech executives, doctors, military officers, government contractors holding security clearances, professors, lawyers, scientists and accountants, among others,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said for the District of Massachusetts in a statement.
“The investigation into the involvement of sex buyers is active and ongoing,” the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Han Lee, 41, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, James Lee, 68, of Torrance, California, and Junmyung Lee, 30, of Dedham, Massachusetts, have been charged with conspiracy to coerce and entice travel. to engage in illegal sexual activities. .
The alleged prostitution ring operators have been charged with conspiracy to coerce and entice travel to engage in illegal sexual activity. DOJ The defendants allegedly sent clients a “menu” of options available at the brothel.DOJ
The trio allegedly operated several brothels in luxury apartments in Fairfax, Virginia, and Tysons, Virginia, less than an hour’s drive from Washington, D.C., according to charging documents.
Authorities also discovered brothels in Cambridge and Watertown, Massachusetts.
The interstate prostitution ring had been operating since at least July 2020, according to authorities.
“The investigation into the involvement of sex buyers is active and ongoing,” the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Justice Department
“The defendants are alleged to have collectively established brothel infrastructure in multiple states that they used to persuade, induce, and entice women – primarily Asian women – to travel to Massachusetts and Virginia to engage in prostitution,” the Justice Department said. .
The defendants allegedly rented the apartments for up to $3,664 per month and charged clients between $350 and more than $600 per hour, depending on services.
The brothels were advertised online, according to charging documents, and disguised as offering “nude Asian models for professional photography in luxury studios.”
Politicians, military officials and government contractors are believed to have frequented the establishments. DOJ The operation’s verification process required interested sex buyers to provide their full names, email address, phone number, employer and references in order to schedule an appointment. DOJ The defendants face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Boston 25 News
The verification process for interested sex buyers was strict, according to authorities, and clients had to provide the trio with their full names, email address, phone number, employer and references in order to schedule an appointment.
The prostitution ring allegedly gave the defendants hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, which they deposited into personal bank accounts and converted into money orders to pay rent and utilities at the various properties.
Each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
Han Lee and Junmyung Lee were arrested Wednesday morning and were scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston on Wednesday. James Lee was arrested in Southern California and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn