Han Lee, a 42-year-old resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for her role in managing an interstate prostitution network involving high-end brothels. U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick handed down the sentence, which includes one year of supervised release and forfeiture of $5,418,572. Restitution will be determined later.
In September 2024, Lee pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to persuade individuals to travel for prostitution and money laundering conspiracy. She was arrested alongside Junmyung Lee and James Lee in November 2023 and indicted by a grand jury in February 2024.
“Han Lee didn’t just recruit women to sell their bodies for sex – she built a criminal enterprise designed to thrive in the shadows,” stated United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “We will relentlessly pursue and prosecute those who exploit vulnerable women through interstate sex trafficking.”
Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent Michael J. Krol remarked on the elaborate scheme orchestrated by Han Lee and her associates: “This secretive and covert industry treats women like commodities.” He emphasized the commitment to pursuing justice using every investigative tool available.
The operation began around July 2020 with brothels established in Massachusetts and Virginia. The network primarily targeted Asian women for prostitution services across state lines. The defendants rented apartments as brothel locations, coordinated travel arrangements, and implemented house rules to maintain secrecy.
Websites bostontopten10.com and browneyesgirlsva.blog were used to advertise these services under the guise of photography sessions. Both domain names were seized by investigators following search warrants executed in November 2023.
Sex buyers underwent a verification process before booking appointments, ensuring they were not law enforcement or posed any threat to commercial sex workers' safety. The defendants charged premium prices for appointments ranging from $350 to $600 per hour.
To hide proceeds from their operations, cash was deposited into personal accounts or used for money orders below reporting thresholds. These funds covered rent and utilities at brothel sites.
Junmyung Lee is set for sentencing on April 18, 2025, after pleading guilty in October 2024. James Lee pleaded guilty in February 2025 with sentencing scheduled for May 28, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Foley; HSI SAC Krol; and Cambridge Police Commissioner Christine Elow announced the outcome of this case with support from several law enforcement agencies including the Central District of California and Eastern District of Virginia.
Members of the public with information about this case are encouraged to contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey E. Weinstein and Raquelle Kaye are prosecuting this case with assistance from various law enforcement entities.
