Human trafficking suspects appear in court after illicit Louisville massage parlor bust

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Three people accused of human trafficking in Louisville appeared in court Monday morning for their arraignments.

Jeonghwa Kim, Stephen Stout and Hyang Sun Brown pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal syndication, human trafficking and promoting human trafficking.

Investigators said they're connected to illicit massage businesses being used as fronts for commercial sexual exploitation. Two other people indicted in the case, James K. Yoo and Yejin Jeong, are awaiting extradition to Louisville from New York and Atlanta, Georgia.

According to investigators, the suspects may be tied to other illegal spas in several places, including New York, Georgia, North Carolina, and both North and South Korea.

Sun Brown and Kim's bonds were set at $150,000 cash with home incarceration. Stout's was set at $350,000 cash, also with home incarceration. Their next court date is set for July 1.

The suspects were indicted last week after a human trafficking enforcement operation called "Operation Deliver Justice" in Louisville.

As part of the operation, search warrants were served Tuesday, May 12, at three businesses across Louisville. It was part of an investigation into "allegations of human trafficking, promoting prostitution and organized criminal activity."

Businesses at 4162 Bardstown Road, 5131 Dixie Highway and 3331 Red Roof Inn Place were searched. Investigators claimed the businesses were "operating as fronts for commercial sexual exploitation."

According to a release from the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office on Tuesday, all defendants were indicted on one count of criminal syndication engaging in organized crime, one count of human trafficking (complicity) and one count of promoting human trafficking (complicity).

Jeong and Kim were also indicted on one count each of tampering with physical evidence (complicity).