FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CRT

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2007 (202) 514-2007

WWW.USDOJ.GOV TDD (202) 514-1888

New York City Man Pleads Guilty

to Human Trafficking Charge
WASHINGTON - A man from Queens, N.Y., pleaded guilty today to attempting to
recruit a Korean woman whom he believed to be a minor to work as a prostitute,
the Justice Department announced today.

Do Hyup Bae pleaded guilty to charges relating to the operation of a network of

over 25 Korean-owned brothels that were located throughout the northeastern part
of the United States, including New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Several of these brothels were located in Queens, N.Y.

“This case illustrates the complexity and scope of human trafficking operations,”
said Wan J. Kim, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “The
Justice Department is committed to investigating and prosecuting those who would
profit from the systematic abuse of others.”

According to the superseding indictment, the brothels, which were operated under
the cover of legitimate businesses, typically employed between two and eight
prostitutes, the majority of whom were Korean nationals who had entered the
country on tourist visas. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of up to 40 years
in prison, a $250,000 fine and restitution payments for human trafficking charges.

The prosecution of individuals involved in human trafficking is a top priority of the

Justice Department. In the last six fiscal years, the Civil Rights Division, in
conjunction with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, has increased by six-fold the number of
human trafficking cases filed in court, compared to the previous six years.

The case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
and U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This case is being
prosecuted by Trial Attorney Solette Magnelli of the Civil Rights Division and
Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela Chen of the Eastern District of New York.

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