The Sunnyvale Sun

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Pair who ran prostitution ring sentenced to prison

By Stephen Baxter

A federal judge sent two men to prison June 11 for smuggling Korean women into the country and forcing them to work at brothels in two Sunnyvale nightclubs. A Sunnyvale public safety officer who accepted bribes and access to sex in exchange for insulating the clubs will be serving time June 29.

Roger Li, 54, was sentenced to two years in prison for conspiracy to harbor illegal immigrants, tax evasion and extortion-related charges. Robert Kwong Wong, 58, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for conspiracy to harbor illegal immigrants, money laundering and extortion-related charges. Wong and Li pleaded guilty to the charges.

In his plea agreement, Wong said he worked with Sang Ye Han to import Korean women to the United States to work at the club he and Han operated, Sunnyvale's Ok Yeo Bong nightclub.

Wong said Han had an agreement with former Sunnyvale public safety officer David Lee Miller, who gave her warnings of searches of the club in exchange for money, trips and access to sex. He also helped the club owners collect debts, according to his plea agreement.

Federal authorities said Wong paid his illegal employees under the table in cash.

At Li's Crystal Palace nightclub in Sunnyvale, Li said he worked with co-defendant Sue Yun Song to arrange importation of illegal immigrant women. Li said Song also had a deal with Miller to protect the business from law enforcement.

On May 7, U.S. District Judge James Ware sentenced Miller to a year and a day in prison for conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right.

Wong and Li are expected to start their sentences Aug. 10.

The FBI worked with Sunnyvale authorities and the Internal Revenue Service's criminal investigation division on the two-year case.