3 Accused Of Operating High-End Brothel Network In Boston

BOSTON, MA — Three people have been arrested in connection with the operation of high-end brothels in greater Boston and eastern Virginia after being accused of coercing and enticing people to travel to engage in illegal sexual activity, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release Wednesday.

The trio—Han Lee, 41, of Cambridge, Junmyung Lee, 30, of Dedham, and James Lee, 68, of Torrance, California—apparently had customers including elected officials, high-tech and pharmaceutical executives, doctors, military officers, government contractors that possess security clearances, professors, attorneys, scientists, and accountants, officials said.

Charging documents state that from at least July 2020, all three defendants operated an interstate prostitution network with multiple brothels in Cambridge and Watertown, as well as in Fairfax and Tysons, Virginia.

The men advertised their prostitution network online and used the brothels to "persuade, induce and entice women – primarily Asian women – to travel to Massachusetts and Virginia to engage in prostitution," officials said.

The brothel locations were high-end apartment complexes that were furnished, regularly maintained, and had a monthly rent as high as $3,664, according to officials. The trio also apparently sent customers a "menu" of available options at the brothel, including the women and sexual services available and the hourly rate.

Both Han Lee and Junmyung Lee were arrested Wednesday morning and will appear in federal court in Boston later in the day, while James Lee was arrested in California and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date, according to officials.

The charge of conspiracy to coerce and entice to travel to engage in illegal sexual activity provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, officials said.

The investigation into the involvement of sex buyers is ongoing.