Police find possible prostitution ring; man arrested

A West Philadelphia man who police say may have been involved in a prostitution ring operating at a Northeast Philadelphia hotel was arrested overnight Sunday on sexual assault and drug charges.

John Lee, 49, of West Philadelphia, was charged with rape, aggravated assault, and other drug and sexual assault counts. Lee was arrested at the Ramada Philadelphia hotel on Roosevelt Boulevard.

Police made the arrest following a routine pursuit of a woman who had violated her probation. Police had traced the 23-year-old Philadelphia woman to the hotel Sunday evening.

The woman and a 22-year-old Mount Laurel woman at the hotel alleged that Lee sexually assaulted them and indicated that they were held at the hotel against their will. Nine other women at the hotel were brought in for questioning and released. Cocaine, heroin, cash and other drugs were found in Lee's room. Police say Craigslist and other Web sites may have been used as part of the alleged operation. - Kristin E. Holmes