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Documented on the original SlaveryMap (2008–2016). We don’t have a verifiable source on file yet. Know one?
What happened
Cardiologist Javier Julio Arce, M.D. 58, and his ex-wife, Cristina Mier Arce, 55, were charged with harboring a Bolivian undocumented worker — their maid — for 15 years as a virtual prisoner and using her for their financial gain. On June 23, 2011 a grand jury alleged that they kept the woman in their service as a domestic by telling her she would be arrested and deported if she left their home. They allegedly told her falsely that they were depositing money in a bank account in her name when they knew no such account existed. And after promising the woman — identified only as “I. L.” — a monthly salary, they paid her paid her no more than $20,000 over 12 years as she cared for their children, made their meals and cleaned their home and Dr. Arce’s medical office. The indictment also charges that Cristina Arce refused to return the woman’s passport, despite “repeated requests”, falsely telling her it was lost. The indictment said the Arces recruited “I. L.” to travel to the United States and conspired to harbor and exploit her from 1994 to 2006 at the home they shared at 718 Freeman Lane in Elizabethtown. It says that after the couple divorced, Dr. Arce harbored the woman for financial gain from 2006 to 2009 at his residence at 2605 Stonemill Drive in Elizabethtown.
Response and intervention
Both defendants both pleaded not guilty and were released on $100,000 bonds. If they are convicted on all counts, Dr. Arce faces a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $750,000 fine, while his ex-wife faces 20 years and a $500,000 fine. The government is also seeking forfeiture of two residences in Hardin County. They are scheduled to be tried Aug. 30, 2011 before Judge John G. Heyburn II. The case was investigated by the FBI, and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Louisville and the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit of the Justice Department’s civil rights division. The indictment was announced by the Justice Department in Washington. Aftercare, if any,was unreported. Potentially the victim may receive monetary restitution.