NAME: Do Hyup Bae

AGE: 37

CRIME: Operating a network of brothels located throughout the Northeast United States.

BACKGROUND: On Jan. 12, Bae, of Queens, N.Y., pleaded guilty in federal court to trying to recruit a Korean woman, whom he believed to be a minor, to work as a prostitute. In this case investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bae was brought up on charges relating to the operation of more than 25 Korean-owned brothels in New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Several of the brothels, which operated under the cover of legitimate businesses, were in Queens. Typically, between two and eight women, the majority of whom were Korean nationals who had entered the country on tourist visas, would be employed at each location. “This case illustrates the complexity and scope of human trafficking operations,” said Wan J. Kim, assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division, in a statement from the Department of Justice. “The Justice Department is committed to investigating and prosecuting those who would profit from the systematic abuse of others.” Bae faces a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and restitution payments for human trafficking charges.