| For Immediate Release Case # 07HF1997 (Lee) Case # 07HM07667 (Park/Shin) October 2, 2007 |
Contact: Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 |
THREE WOMEN CHARGED WITH PIMPING OR PROSTITUTING IN IRVINE APARTMENT USING
EROTIC ADVERTISEMENT ON CRAIGSLIST
NEWPORT BEACH – Three women were arrested and charged with prostitution related incidents in an Irvine apartment. Kyung Ah Lee, 34, Los Angeles, was charged with felony pimping and conspiracy to commit prostitution, which carries a maximum punishment of six years in prison. Su Jin Park, 34, Los Angeles, and Hyun Jung Shin, 28, Los Angeles, were charged with misdemeanor prostitution and keeping a house of prostitution. Park and Shin face up to a year in county jail. Lee posted $35,500 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned October 29, 2007 in Department H-2, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach. Park is in custody on an immigration hold and Shin was cited and released. Park and Shin are scheduled to be arraigned October 29, 2007 in Department H-8, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach.
Irvine Police began receiving complaints about a 2-bedroom apartment unit. During a 2-week period, officers observed men coming in and out of the unit. Several of the men who were stopped coming out of the apartment stated that they were paying $160 for sexual acts. There was an advertisement on Craigslist depicting nude and erotic pictures of Asian women promising “hottie Asian girls waiting for you … 1HR 160 roses for your good time … open 11am until 2 am” with a phone number.
On September 28, 2007, Lee is accused of greeting a man who she believed was a customer at the door. She is accused of giving instructions and directions to potential customers using the phone number advertised on Craigslist. Lee is accused of possessing a cell phone with the listed phone number and coordinating the sex acts conducted in the apartment. Lee is accused of taking $70 for every $160 paid to Park and Shin as her pimping fee. Shin and Park are accused of received $160, disrobing, and producing condoms. Irvine Police found a container of unused condoms in the refrigerator and $1,670 in cash at the apartment.
Deputy District Attorney Andre Manssourian of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
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