Three individuals have been arrested and charged for operating high-end brothels in Boston and Northern Virginia, serving clients that allegedly included military officers and elected officials. The charges stem from a multiyear investigation that began in the summer of 2020 and is ongoing. The defendants—Han Lee, Junmyung Lee, and James Lee—are charged with conspiracy to coerce and entice individuals to travel for illegal sexual activity, carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The investigation, led by Homeland Security Investigations, identified customers through surveillance, phone records, interviews, and other methods. The clientele included individuals from various professional disciplines, such as politicians, pharmaceutical executives, doctors, military officers, government contractors with security clearances, professors, lawyers, business executives, technology company executives, scientists, accountants, retail employees, and students.
The affidavit indicates potentially hundreds of yet-to-be-identified customers. The defendants allegedly leased apartments, maintained them as brothels, and coordinated the transportation of sex workers. Money orders were used to conceal fund transfers for rent, intentionally avoiding anti-money laundering alerts.
Appointments with women were arranged through websites that advertised nude Asian models for professional photography, acting as a front for prostitution. Clients, verified through a process including personal information and references, were charged $350 to upwards of $600 per hour, payable in cash. Approximately 20 customers have been interviewed in connection with the probe since 2020.
James Lee, in particular, faces detention pending trial due to flight risk concerns. He is accused of having multiple businesses and fraudulent identities used to launder money from the prostitution business. The investigation also reveals alleged falsification of bank statements, pay stubs, and driver’s licenses in applying for apartment leases. Search warrants executed on active brothels recovered condoms, cash, and individuals believed to be engaging in prostitution.
James Lee’s personal and business bank accounts received deposits totaling $4.5 million since January 2020, including over $550,000 in Covid relief funds. Investigators suspect involvement in multiple prostitution networks and international travel since 2017 to eight different countries on 10 occasions.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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