The Justice Department announced that it is looking to move forward in charging individuals in connection to a brothel network.
“Our office made it clear when we announced charges of a commercial sex ring case on Nov. 8, 2023, that the investigation was ongoing and that there would be accountability for the buyers who fuel the commercial sex industry,” Acting US Attorney Joshua Levy said in a statement. “Today, a Homeland Security Investigations Task Force Officer with the Cambridge Police Department submitted applications for complaints against 28 sex buyers with the Cambridge District Court. Until probable cause has been found, no names will be released. If probable cause is established and criminal charges are issued by the Court, referrals will then be made to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.”
Levy noted that authorities are “working closely with Virginia state authorities to begin the referral process of sex buyers from the Virginia locations in this case,” adding that the “referral processes will remain ongoing.”
Last month, the DOJ charged three men for operating brothels serving elected officials, military officers, doctors, and others.
“Three individuals have been arrested in connection with operating sophisticated high-end brothels in greater Boston and eastern Virginia,” read a statement from the US Attorney’s Office of the District of Massachusetts. “Commercial sex buyers allegedly included elected officials, high tech and pharmaceutical executives, doctors, military officers, government contractors that possess security clearances, professors, attorneys, scientists and accountants, among others.”
The three individuals charged with “conspiracy to coerce and entice to travel to engage in illegal sexual activity” were:
- Han Lee, a/k/a “Hana,” 41, of Cambridge, Massachusettes
- James Lee, 68, of Torrance, California
- Junmyung Lee, 30, of Dedham, Massachusettes
