Federal officials on Monday said they were seeking criminal complaints against 28 alleged sex buyers in connection with a multi-state brothel network busted in November.
Acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua Levy, said a federal task force, working with the Cambridge Police, is seeking criminal complaints against 28 buyers in connection with the alleged sex ring.
“Our office made it clear when we announced charges of a commercial sex ring case on Nov. 8, 2023, that the investigation was ongoing and that there would be accountability for the buyers who fuel the commercial sex industry,” Levy said in a statement.
“Today, a Homeland Security Investigations Task Force Officer with the Cambridge Police Department submitted applications for complaints against 28 sex buyers with the Cambridge District Court.”
The targets of the complaints remain unnamed.
Levy explained that the criminal complaints were subject to probable cause hearings and that no suspect would be named “until probable cause has been found.”
The complaints have been filed with Cambridge District Court and if probable cause is found, the charges will be referred to the office of Middlesex DA Marian Ryan.
The blockbuster case will potentially blow the lid off of a commercial sex network reaching from Massachusetts to Virginia and is said to include among its clients doctors, lawyers, politicians, military officials carrying security clearances and other professionals.
The well-heeled clients paid up to $600 an hour for “high-end” prostitutes, the feds said on November 8 when they announced the bust.
Defendants James Lee, 68, of Torrance, California; Junmyung Lee, 30, of Dedham; and the alleged ringleader Han Lee, 41, of Cambridge — who are not related — are charged with conspiracy to coerce and entice to travel to engage in illegal sexual activity, according to Levy and authorities from Homeland Security Investigations and the Cambridge Police.
The alleged sex ring suspects have pleaded not guilty and remain in federal custody.
“The three individuals behind these websites facilitated the movement of predominately Asian women across the United States for sex trafficking in a commercial sex ring, exploiting them in the process,” said Levy at the time of the arrests. “This commercial sex ring was built on secrecy and exclusivity, catering to a wealthy, well-connected clientele, and business was booming. Until today.”
Levy said the investigation remains ongoing and that more sex buyers could be charged.
“We are working closely with Virginia authorities to begin the referral process of sex buyers from the Virginia locations in this case. The referral processes will remain ongoing,” Levy said Monday.
