NEW YORK, NY – On January 25, 2024, the NYPD raided a brothel in Queens following pressure from NYC councilman Francisco Moya to crack down on illegal activities. This action comes as federal authorities revealed that three individuals at the heart of a commercial sex ring, which catered to affluent clients in the Boston, Massachusetts area and Eastern Virginia, are seeking plea agreements.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced that Han “Hana” Lee, 41, of Cambridge, Massachusetts; James Lee, 68, of Torrance, California; and Junmyung Lee, 30, of Dedham, Massachusetts, are accused of operating a sophisticated commercial sex network. The trio allegedly conducted their operations in Watertown and Cambridge, Massachusetts, as well as in Virginia.
Their high-end sex business charged clients up to $600 per hour for various sexual services. The network advertised through two websites, bostontopten10.com and browneyesgirlsva.blog, which purported to offer nude models for professional photography but actually facilitated appointments with commercial sex workers.
Court documents reveal that the websites featured a verification process for potential clients, requiring them to provide personal information, including their full names, email addresses, phone numbers, employers, and references. This thorough vetting process was designed to ensure that clients were not law enforcement officers or individuals who could jeopardize the safety of the sex workers.
The indictment also states that Han Lee maintained and updated the websites with photos of the sex workers. The trio allegedly offered a “menu” of sexual companions, allowing clients to select their preferred partners. The operation concealed its proceeds by depositing hundreds of thousands of dollars into personal bank accounts and using peer-to-peer transfers.
In November 2023, the three individuals were arrested and charged in connection with operating sophisticated high-end brothels in the greater Boston area and Eastern Virginia. A federal grand jury in Boston indicted them on charges of conspiracy to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce individuals to travel interstate or internationally for prostitution, as well as money laundering conspiracy. All three defendants were arraigned on February 6, 2024.
Since then, the attorney’s office has produced discovery from electronic devices on March 5 and May 30, 2024. U.S. Magistrate Judge David Hennessy noted in a report filed Monday that the parties have engaged in plea discussions.