Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Boston resident and Chinese national, Qichen Yuan, 31, has been arrested on charges of attempted sex trafficking of a child. Authorities allege that Yuan responded to an online advertisement posted by undercover law enforcement officers on August 16, 2025. The ad was placed on a website known for commercial sex acts and featured images and language suggesting the involvement of a minor.
According to court documents, Yuan engaged in text and phone conversations with an undercover agent who posed as a 15-year-old girl. During these exchanges, the agent stated her age explicitly. Yuan is alleged to have replied, “I love you being young lol,” and agreed to pay $250 for sex after learning she was underage.
On August 19, at about 8:00 p.m., Yuan reportedly arrived at a predetermined location where he was met by law enforcement. When approached by police in an unmarked vehicle, authorities say he attempted to flee but was apprehended immediately. Officers conducting a search found two condoms in his pocket.
The charge against Yuan carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison and could result in up to life imprisonment if convicted. Additional penalties include five years of supervised release and a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge following established guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division, announced the arrest. The Massachusetts State Police and Boston Police Department provided assistance during the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Torey B. Cummings from the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit is prosecuting the case.
Officials note that this prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation across the United States (https://www.justice.gov/psc). The project brings together federal, state, and local agencies to identify offenders and assist victims.
Authorities remind the public that all details outlined are allegations at this stage; Yuan is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
Anyone affected or aware of commercial sex trafficking can contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov for support or information about resources available through Project Safe Childhood.
