A federal grand jury has indicted eight people suspected of operating a human-trafficking ring for interstate prostitution from a Korean nightclub in Federal Way.
Prosecutors say the owner, manager and others at the Blue Moon, 31140 Pacific Highway South, were recruiting Korean women, many from overseas, to work as “hostesses.” The women were expected to entertain men and set up subsequent meetings for paid sex to repay their travel and living expenses, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Friday.
The grand jury issued a 12-count indictment Wednesday against eight men and women associated with the Blue Moon. The owner and seven others were charged with several crimes, including conspiracy to commit money laundering, visa fraud, harboring illegal aliens, bribery and transportation in furtherance of prostitution.
Federal agents served search warrants on the Blue Moon and several homes Thursday. The club was closed Friday and might not reopen, federal officials said.
The indictment is the result of a two-year, multi-agency investigation headed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s homeland security investigations unit.
“The organizers of this criminal scheme exploited vulnerable young women to satisfy their greed,” U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan said. “They also sought to protect their business by offering bribes to law enforcement.”
Agents arrested six of the accused Thursday morning, including the club’s owner, Chang Young Kim, a 58-year-old Milton resident; and his wife, 35-year-old Yeun Jeong Mun. Investigators suspect Mun worked as a former madam at the club, prosecutors said.
Also arrested Thursday were:
• Miyoung Roberts, 40, of Federal Way; accused of being the current madam at the club.
• Jung San So, 55, of Seattle; suspected of being the current club manager.
• Raymond Jung, 51, of Federal Way; accused of leasing apartments where the women were housed.
• Kwang Frank Lee, 57, of Federal Way; accused of providing money to finance a bogus marriage tied to the scheme.
During court appearances Thursday, the six defendants were ordered held without bond pending detention hearings.
Two other defendants – Sung Hee Han and Hee Jae Cho, both 40 and of Federal Way – still are sought. Han is suspected of being an assistant madam at the Blue Moon, and Cho is a former manager, according to prosecutors. Investigators suspect Cho is in the Los Angeles area.
Agents began investigating the club in November 2009. Seattle police detectives had been investigating an unrelated embezzlement scheme when they received information on the sex-trafficking ring and passed it along to the federal agents.
In addition to other charges, prosecutors suspect Kim, the club’s owner, tried to bribe an undercover officer in the case.
Kim offered $15,000 in exchange for a heads-up on law enforcement inspections and cooperation from immigration authorities to allow undocumented Korean women to come to the United States, prosecutors said. Kim has been charged with five crimes related to the bribery accusations.
Stacey Mulick: 253-597-8268 stacey.mulick@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/crime
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