A multi-state prostitution ring serving elite clients, including elected officials, military officers, and tech executives, has been uncovered by feds following the two arrests of those suspected of running the operation.
Acting US Attorney Joshua Levy announced the arrests of two men and one woman.
Han Lee, a 41-year-old woman from Cambridge, Massachusetts
James Lee, a 68-year-old man from Torrance, California
Junmyung Lee, a 30-year-old man from Dedham, Massachusetts
Federal investigators allege the suspects operated websites that advertised professional photography appointments at luxury apartments.
However, investigators believe the photography sessions were just a front for hiring women for illicit sex services.
Why does this keep happening! https://t.co/Iw5lbtNxHS
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) November 9, 2023
The Epoch Times reported:
Mr. Levy’s office claims it has identified “a wide array of buyers” of this alleged prostitution ring’s services.
Mr. Levy did not name any of the suspected clients in a Wednesday press briefing, but a Nov. 6 affidavit described a list that includes elected politicians, professors, lawyers, doctors, accountants, scientists, and executives for technology and pharmaceutical companies, along with other business executives. Boston-based Department of Homeland Security Agent Zachary A.
Mitlitsky, who swore on behalf of the affidavit, said the client list also includes military officers and government contractors who possess security clearances.
Mr. Mitlitsky stressed in the affidavit that the professions he identified did not provide an exhaustive list of this prostitution ring’s clientele and that potentially hundreds of clients may yet be identified.
“Pick a profession, they’re probably represented in this case,” Mr. Levy told CNN.
The arrests came following a multiyear investigation that involved the DHS and police.
Prosecutors also received assistance from the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, and from US Postal Service.
As the outlet continued:
According to Mr. Mitlitsky’s affidavit, law enforcement officers were able to interview 20 of the suspected clients during a multiyear investigation, and these clients described arranging meetings at various locations for commercial sex services.
The suspected meet-up points included several locations in Dedham, Cambridge and Watertown, Massachusetts.
Investigators identified two more suspected brothel locations in Fairfax and Tyson, Virginia, both located a short distance from Washington.
Mitlitsky said he wasn’t refusing to identify the suspected clients to protect their anonymity but rather because the investigation into this prostitution ring is “active and ongoing.”
Prosecutors say the three accused brothel operators charged clients anywhere from $350 to upwards of $600 per hour depending on the sex services they were selling.
These three defendants allegedly concealed the proceeds of the illicit services using money orders in values under the amount that would typically trigger reporting and identification requirements.
Mr. Mitlitsky said in the Nov. 6 affidavit:
“There were several instances in which the total amount of money orders purchased on a single day (when combining transactions at different agent locations) did exceed $3,000, and sometimes even exceeded $10,000, thus indicating an intent to structure the money order purchases to conceal or disguise the activity.”
Investigators identified 19 money orders purchased that day for a total of $12,200.
They believe these money orders were used to cover rent payments on four suspected brothel locations rented by the defendants.
The three defendants are charged with conspiracy to coerce and entice others to travel to engage in illegal sexual activity.
They each face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
This includes, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
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