WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- A State Department sting operation led to the conviction of an Estonian who brought women to the United States to work at sex parlors.
Roman Valdma, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Estonia, has pleaded guilty in Federal court in Boston to charges of visa fraud and of bringing women to the United States for illegal sexual activity.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 14, the State Department said Friday.
From 1999 to 2003, Valdma recruited young Estonian women and brought them to the United States on fraudulent papers. He would then force them to work in his erotic massage parlors.
In May 2003, special agents from the Bureau of Diplomatic Security conducted an undercover operation in which Valdma unknowingly assisted an Estonian informant in obtaining fraudulent documents and entering the United States illegally.
Diplomatic Security agents, with support from the Boston Police Department, arrested Valdma on August 5, 2003.
In addition to Valdma's expected prison term of 36 to 41 months, prosecutors are also seeking the forfeiture of $80,000 in cash, a 2003 Acura sport utility vehicle, and one of Valdma's residences.
