Qichen Yuan, a 
national lawfully residing in Boston, was arrested on Aug 19 and charged with one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child. The defendant appeared in federal court in Boston on Aug 20.
On Aug 16, 2025, Yuan responded to an advertisement posted by undercover law enforcement on a website commonly used to advertise commercial sex acts. The advertisement contained images of a young female and language purported to be written by a female describing herself as a “flower ready to blossom.”
During a text conversation and phone call between Yuan and an undercover agent posing as the purported minor, the undercover agent stated that she was a 15-year-old girl available to perform sex acts in exchange for money. When the undercover agent told Yuan she was young, Yuan stated, “I love you being young lol.” He then allegedly agreed to pay $250 to have sex with the purported minor after learning that she was just 15 years old.
At approximately 8:00pm on Aug 19, 2025, Yuan arrived at an agreed-upon meeting location and stood outside. When an unmarked law enforcement vehicle pulled up, Yuan attempted to flee. He was immediately apprehended. During a search of his person, two condoms were found in Yuan’s pocket.
The charge of attempted sex trafficking of a child provides for a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/chi
national lawfully residing in Boston, was arrested on Aug 19 and charged with one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child. The defendant appeared in federal court in Boston on Aug 20.
On Aug 16, 2025, Yuan responded to an advertisement posted by undercover law enforcement on a website commonly used to advertise commercial sex acts. The advertisement contained images of a young female and language purported to be written by a female describing herself as a “flower ready to blossom.”
During a text conversation and phone call between Yuan and an undercover agent posing as the purported minor, the undercover agent stated that she was a 15-year-old girl available to perform sex acts in exchange for money. When the undercover agent told Yuan she was young, Yuan stated, “I love you being young lol.” He then allegedly agreed to pay $250 to have sex with the purported minor after learning that she was just 15 years old.
At approximately 8:00pm on Aug 19, 2025, Yuan arrived at an agreed-upon meeting location and stood outside. When an unmarked law enforcement vehicle pulled up, Yuan attempted to flee. He was immediately apprehended. During a search of his person, two condoms were found in Yuan’s pocket.
The charge of attempted sex trafficking of a child provides for a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/chi