The final of the three indicted operators of a community of brothels catering to rich purchasers in Higher Boston and Virginia suburbs of Washington D.C. pleaded responsible to his function.
James Lee, 70, of Torrance, California, pleaded responsible in federal court docket in Boston Wednesday to conspiracy to coerce girls to journey interstate to have interaction in prostitution, cash laundering conspiracy and wire fraud.
Cash laundering and wire fraud carry most penalties of 20 years in jail every, whereas the coercion cost can carry as much as 5 years in jail. U.S. District Courtroom Decide Julia E. Kobick scheduled a sentencing date of April 29, 2025.
James Lee’s responsible plea adopted that of the operation’s madam, Han “Hanna” Lee, 42, of Cambridge; and the operation’s errand boy and booker Junmyung Lee, 31, of Dedham, final 12 months. Han Lee and Junymung Lee sought plea agreements early of their instances.
The trio, who are usually not associated based on prosecutors, have been arrested in November 2023 and formally indicted by a federal grand jury the next February.
Whereas this closes the case on the operators of the brothel, greater than two dozen alleged brothel “johns” have but to be formally charged. The johns labored behind closed doorways ever for the reason that case started to maintain their names hidden except they’re formally charged.
They finally misplaced that mission when the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Courtroom dominated final November that the show-cause hearings — that are supposed to search out possible trigger sufficient to cost — shall be open to the general public. These hearings are scheduled in Cambridge District Courtroom for 3 Fridays subsequent month: March 14, 21 and 28.
Prosecutors stated purchasers included “elected officials, high tech and pharmaceutical executives, doctors, military officers, government contractors that possess security clearances, professors, attorneys” and others.
“Pick a profession, they’re probably represented in this case,” then-U.S. Legal professional Joshua Levy stated in November 2023 whereas saying the case. “They are the men who fueled this commercial sex ring.”
James Lee’s involvement within the case was centered on renting the high-end residences the place the unlawful intercourse befell. Prosecutors say that he was the “sole and legal tenant of at least six locations used by this prostitution network.”
James Lee used each his personal identify and a collection of faux and stolen identities, which he backed up with a number of fraudulent driver’s licenses. Along with leasing the residences, he labored as a liaison between the intercourse staff and property managers. For this work, prosecutors say, he was paid a $1,000 monthly fee per lively lease.
It is a creating story.
