US says prostitution ring counted politicians, tech execs, lawyers as clients
Three humans were charged with running a high-give up prostitution ring out of condominium complexes in Greater Boston. The ring allegedly catered to a wealthy and well-linked clients, consisting of politicians, tech executives, lawyers, professors, and military officers.
Federal prosecutors in Boston did no longer discover any of the clients. But they stated that the hoop’s clients paid up to $600 per hour for sexual encounters with predominantly Asian ladies. The ladies who have been trafficked into the ring have been regularly forced to work long hours. And were subjected to violence and threats.
“The defendants exploited vulnerable girls, inclusive of immigrants who were in search of a better lifestyles inside the United States” stated U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins in a declaration. “They profited off of the struggling of others, and they will be held chargeable for their crimes.”
The 3 humans charged with prostitution ring are:
- Yunqing “Cindy” Liu, 36, of Arlington, Virginia
- Mingyuan “Lily” Li, 31, of Vienna, Virginia
- Yanyan “Tracy” Zhao, 32, of Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Liu, Li, and Zhao had been each charged with one remember of conspiracy to devote sex trafficking and one count of intercourse trafficking. They face a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.
The fees against Liu, Li, and Zhao are the trendy in a string of prosecutions concerning excessive-end prostitution earrings inside the Boston region. In 2018, 5 human have been charged with going for walks a prostitution ring that catered to rich clients.
The charges towards Liu, Li, and Zhao are also a part of a broader effort via regulation enforcement to crack down on intercourse trafficking. In 2022, the Justice Department introduced that it had taken down a website that became used to promote it sex trafficking offerings.
Sex trafficking is a serious crime that has a devastating impact on the victims. If you suspect that someone is being trafficked for sex, you can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
What is sex trafficking?
Sex trafficking is the trade of humans for sexual exploitation. It is a form of modern-day slavery that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or nationality. Sex trafficking victims are often forced to work long hours in dangerous conditions and are subjected to physical and emotional abuse.
How can I help?
If you watched that a person is being trafficked for sex, you can touch the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. You also can file suspected trafficking to the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Ridge Mountain Task Force at 1-866-347-2423.
