Beverly Couple's Human Trafficking Case Moved To Superior Court

SALEM, MA — A state indictment announced Thursday by Attorney General Maura Healey against a Beverly couple accused of human trafficking and operating a brothel out of a Salem apartment moves the case from District to Salem Superior Court. State Police arrested Woonryong Heo, 29, and Hayun Nam, 29, both of Beverly, in February and charged each with trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, deriving support from prostitution and money laundering. Both were released to house arrest on $50,000 bail.

Heo and Nam had previously pleaded not guilty in Salem District Court. Prosecutors say the couple recruited women and brought some from Flushing, NY to work in their brothel. They advertised sexual services online and set up appointments with men looking to pay for sex. Heo and Nam kept almost all of the money collected for themselves, the indictment said.

The investigation remains open. The Attorney General's Victim Services Division is working with victim service organizations to help the women who worked at the brothel.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).