The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts has announced the arrests of two men and one woman suspected of operating a multi-state prostitution ring whose alleged client list includes elected officials, military officers, and executives at technology and pharmaceutical firms.
On Wednesday, acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy announced the arrests of Han Lee, a 41-year-old woman from Cambridge, Massachusetts; James Lee, a 68-year-old man from Torrance, California; and Junmyung Lee, a 30-year-old man from Dedham, Massachusetts, on suspicion of operating multiple brothels in Massachusetts and Virginia.
Federal investigators allege these three individuals operated a pair of websites that advertised professional photography appointments at high-end apartments rented by the three defendants. Investigators believe these photography sessions provided a front service, and the designated properties provided a controlled location at which women hired by the three defendants could transact the illicit sex services.
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 of the three suspected brothel operators followed a multiyear investigation that involved the DHS and multiple local Massachusetts police departments. Prosecutors also received assistance from the U.S. Postal Service and the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division.
By Ryan Morgan
