Sex Trafficking2009
Canada CA
Mei Fang Chen, 33 Xiu Zheng Chen, 32 facing two charges each of human trafficking, living off the avails of prostitutuion, exercising control, director of influence of a person for the purpose of prostitiution, and one each of keeping a common bawdy-house, and possesion of the proceeds of crime over $5000.00. Qui Wang, 41 faces two charges each of living off the avails of prosititution, exercise and control, direction or influence over a person for the purposes of prostitution, and one count of keeping a common bawdy house, possesion of the proceeds of crime over $5000.00 and assault with a weapon causing bodily harm. To appear in court September 21, 2009.
Bonded Labor2009
United States US
Andrew Cole, 55, admitted that he lied to workers he recruited in the Dominican Republic, telling them that their pay would be better than it turned out to be. He also acknowledged knowing that other members of the scheme would threaten those workers with deportation if they complained.Under federal statutes, Cole is subject to a sentence of up to 25 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. Ilkham Fazilov, 45, a citizen of Uzbekistan residing Kansas City, Missouri pleaded guilty to the racketeering conspiracy on Aug. 16, 2010. Fazilov was the nominee organizer of Five Star Cleaning, LLC, and Suncoast Hospitality, Inc., which were fictitious shell companies used to obtain work authorization for foreign nationals and to conceal the unlawful proceeds of the criminal enterprise. Fazilov handled the payroll for the foreign workers and executed fraudulent ETA-750 petitions, which falsely claimed an exaggerated need for workers. These workers were placed for employment outside the parameters of the petition in violation of federal law. Fazilov also opened bank accounts for these shell companies and wire transferred unlawful proceeds to facilitate enterprise activities. Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 30, a citizen of Uzbekistan, pleaded guilty to the racketeering conspiracy on March 16, 2010. Kakhkharov acted as head of Midwest Management, Inc., a nominee entity established as part of the criminal enterprise in order to launder the illegal proceeds of the enterprise and to avoid paying taxes. Kakhkharov admitted that he was responsible for laundering a total of $634,192 in unlawful proceeds between July and December 2007. Kakhkharov also admitted that he used apartments in the Kansas City, Missouri area to house illegal aliens between July 2007 and January 2008. Alexandru Frumusache, 25, a citizen of the Republic of Moldova residing in Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty on Oct. 7, 2009, to forced labor trafficking. Between September 2008 and the end of April 2009, Frumusache aided and abetted others in a scheme to cause foreign workers (including citizens from the Phillippines, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica) to believe that they would be deported, or their H2B work visas would be cancelled, or they or their families members would be penalized with a $5,000 to $10,000 fee, if the foreign workers failed or refused to work where and when they were ordered to work.Frumusache also admitted that he aided and abetted others in subjecting the foreign workers to terrible living conditions without food, furniture, or appropriate sleeping arrangements. They assigned more foreign workers than each living space allowed and the foreign workers were subjected to sleeping on the floor or mattresses. They utilized the housing arrangement as an additional way to profit off of the foreign workers by overcharging them in rent and automatically withdrawing the fees from the foreign workers’ pay checks. Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 50, a citizen of Uzbekistan residing in Panama City, Fla., pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony. Azizkhodjaev admitted that, while he was employed at Giant Labor Solutions between June 2006 and December 2007, his employer failed to withhold payroll taxes from Azizkhodjaev's salary, thus committing evasion of corporate employment tax. Azizkhodjaev concealed this offense by neglecting to file a tax return.
Sex Trafficking2009
United States US
"US District Court Judge Carol E. Jackson sentenced Wallace on July 22, 2009 to 20 years in prison and five years of supervised release for a federal civil rights charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion for compelling a young St. Lois woman to commit acts of prostitution." http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-22-2009/0005064605&EDATE=
Forced Labor2009
United States US
A 28-year-old St. Paul man, Byronte Juwann Reed (also known as Santana) pleaded guilty in federal court in St. Paul to transporting a girl from Minnesota to Illinois for the purpose of committing commercial sex acts. In his plea agreement, Reed admitted meeting the victim, who was younger than 18, in June of 2008 and recruiting her to commit sexual acts in exchange for money. From June of 2008 through July of 2008, the girl lived with Reed and others so she could participate in the commercial sex trade. In addition, Reed admitted transporting the girl from Minneapolis to Chicago, Illinois, in order for her to engage in commercial sex. Reed also admitted that physical force was used to ensure that the victim would participate in the sexual activity.
Sex Trafficking2009
United States US
Reed was sentenced to 180 months in prison on one count of the sex trafficking of a minor. St. Paul Police Department, Minneapolis Police Department, the U.S. Attorney's office, and the FBI were all involved in the investigation and prosecution of Reed.
Forced Criminality2009
Sweden SE
A 28 years old man from Ukraine who due to an accident lost both arms, he was offered a job in an office in Moscow. However, he was trafficked and ended up begging--first in Estonia, then in Holland and Spain, then he ended up in the Stockholm subway, and outside a large church in Uppsala (Livets Ord. He wore a sign saying ”Please help me to get an operation”. He may have earned up to Skr 1 milj (about US $150 000)for the traffickers from his begging. The victim finally succeeded to escape by jumping off a train just as it left Stockholm and contacted the police.
Domestic Servitude2009
Sudan SD
MALWAL KON, Sudan — 607 liberated slaves returned to their homeland of northern Bahr El Ghazal, Southern Sudan between Jan. 23 and Feb. 2, 2005.They were assembled in Northern Sudanese towns and villages and transported by truck to Southern Sudan by the Government of Sudan's Committee for the Eradication of the Abduction of Women and Children (CEAWC). They were delivered to registration centers at Gok Machar and Warawar. More information: http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=1462
CSEC2009
United States US
Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Cali said Edwards could face five to 15 years in prison if she does not carry out her part of the deal. Cali said the prosecution was interested in pursuing sexual assault charges against any men who had sex with the victim at Edwards' home. Authorities said the 16-year-old victim had stayed voluntarily at Edwards' home one night in December. When she tried to leave the next day, Edwards would not let her go for a couple of days, telling her she had to have sex with men to settle the debt owed for spending the night, police reported. In pleading guilty, Edwards admitted being present when several men had sex with the girl in her home.
Sex Trafficking2009
Philippines PH
The two minors aged 17 and 18 were hired to work with a promise they are to be given a “decent job” in Manila and each would receive PhP300/per day sometime in August 2009. The duo ended up in delivery of food stuff allegedly on foot for they were not given fare for transport, the joint committees learned. The minors had cash advance of PhP3,000 each prior to their departure heading for home in Getafe , Bohol , the parents told the joint committees. They were accompanied by their parents during the committee hearing
Sex Trafficking2009
Taiwan TW
The China Post reports that "a Chinese man with the surname Wang was the mastermind. A Taiwanese accomplice surnamed Yang was allegedly responsible for swindling local young girls' ID documents from their parents, mainly in eastern Taiwan's Hualien County." Also involved was a travel agency manager named Liao who helped get passports and U.S. visas for the girls involved.There were also 30 Taiwanese women who were employed to travel with the girls, although they claim they had no knowledge of the scheme.
Bonded Labor2009
United States US
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States
Sex Trafficking2009
United States US
Deputies arrested Kenyatta Cornelous, 38, Edward Jones, 47, and Corinna Shaffer, 24, all of Treasure Island, this weekend. Cornelous, being held without bail, is charged with sexual battery, and all three are charged with human trafficking. Deputies also are looking for Colin Anthony Dyer, 36, in connection with the case.
Sex Trafficking2009
United States US
Someone in the town of Tea, who knew the situation, contacted the Tea Police Department in July of 2009. After a few months investigation, the couple was arrested on November 20, 2009. Thompson eventually pleaded guilty to sex trafficking a minor by force in the hopes of receiving a lighter sentence, but the judge decided to overrule the recommended sentence of thirty years or less and handed down a sentence of life in prison. This case was investigated by South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tea Police Department. Assistant US Attorney Kevin Koliner prosecuted the case.
CSEC2009
United States US
Authorities say Shelby Lewis, age 42 , has been running a child sex trafficking operation since 2006. Two girls, ages 14 and 16, were arrested in May for prostitution and told police that Lewis was their pimp. Around the same time in May, police found a 13 year old who had been reported missing to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. She told police that Lewis had been prostituting her for the past three years. A fouth girl said she had been prostituted by Lewis since she was 12, two years ago,
Sex Trafficking2009
United States US
42 year old foster father Shelby Lewis accused of raping his foster daughter and pimping her out in Washington DC.The foster child was one of the youngest of Lewis' alleged stable of prostitutes, according to court documents. She started working for him when she was 12 and continued to do so for two and a half years. The detective testified that Lewis had sex with his foster child and another who worked for Lewis for three years, starting when she was 13.
Sex Trafficking2009
United States US
A two month investigation led to the arrests of 38-year-old Kenyatta Cornelous, 47-year-old Edward Jones and 24-year-old Corinna Shaffer, all of Treasure Island. All have been charged with human trafficking, a 2nd degree felony. Kenyatta Cornelous, 38, Edward Jones, 47, and Corinna Shaffer, 24, all listed their address as the home at 10214 Tarpon Drive. Cornelous is charged with sexual battery, human trafficking and deriving proceeds from prostitution, the sheriff's office said. He was being held without bail on the sexual battery charge. His bail on the other charges totals $60,000. Jones is charged with human trafficking and was being held on $50,000 bail. Shaffer is charged with human trafficking and deriving proceeds from prostitution and was being held on bail totaling $60,000.
CSEC2009
United States US
On February 16, 2010, Rodney Hubert, age 34, of the 400 block of Vanderbilt Avenue in New York, was arrested and charged with the human trafficking of a juvenile for prostitution. This long-term investigation revealed that Rodney Hubert employed numerous individuals at his internet website design company in New York City who assisted in transporting a 15-year-old female from New York to Montgomery County, for the purpose of prostitution. The victim was recruited by the organization with the promise that she would travel to Maryland for a modeling photo shoot. Once in Maryland, the organization advertised the juvenile on Craigslist for prostitution. Also arrested were Christy Elmes, age 23, of the 3800 block of Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, New York; and Katherine Mateo, age 19, from the 200 block of Bethel Park Boulevard in the Bronx, New York. Also arrested in Georgia was Tomika Powell, age 21, of the 300 block of Geary Drive in Montgomery, Alabama; who was also wanted by the U.S. Army for desertion. All were charged with human trafficking, sexual abuse of a minor, and second-degree child abuse.
CSEC2009
United States US
Franklin Robinson, David Powers, Shimon Maxwell, Robert D. Scott, Robert D. Scott II, Terrence Williams, Kenneth B, Tana Adkins, Melissa Jacobs, Derick Price, Derek Maes, and Eric Pennington among others were arrested and are under federal indictment with prostitution-related charges. They were herding minors from the Toledo area, across state lines, to work in an organized sex ring.
CSEC2009
United States US
This was part of a three day initiative called Operation Cross Country, FBI working with local law enforcement.
Sex Trafficking2009
United States US
Prison vocational plumbing instructor Anastacio "Ted" Gallardo attempted to exchange money for oral sex from an student-inmate. She accepted because she makes $14 a month at a prison job. At the scene, he forces other acts upon her. He has used 3-6 other inmates as well. He used other inmates to cover up and as lookouts. He admitted to victims that he "should better prepare for sexual encounters with inmates by hiding condoms at the prison's plumbing shop. He threatened to hurt anyone who broke their code of silence. "He's the authority figure". He has "the ability to impact their liberty". Victim became pregnant and Gallardo attempted to obtain the abortion pill RU486 from Mexico and another inmate with contacts and also a registered sex offender. He attempted to sneak her out of the prison for an abortion at a clinic 65 miles away. She was frightened about authorities finding out she was pregnant. Gallardo had another inmate jump on victim's stomach to end pregnancy. He told victim no one would believe her because she was an inmate.
Bonded Labor2009
United States US
The case was brought to trial by the US Attorneys Office, under immigration laws rather than human trafficking laws. The US Attorneys Office reasoned that '"There's a variety of ways a case can be calculated", explaining a charge may be based on the probability of conviction"'. (CJOnline.com 6/27/09) Singh was arrested and sentenced on July 23, 2009, and is sentence is unknown.
Forced Labor2009
Thailand TH
In October, police in Thailand, as well as human rights activists in Mahachai, raided two of the brokers houses, rescuing 18 detained fishermen. Many other men were found locked up in cabins on a ship. These men were forced work on fishing boats for many months without pay–many of them were forbidden to even go onto shore. Some were even killed, or thrown overboard, if they questioned authority. Most of the victims were ethnic Mon, from eastern Burma. Many of the 51 men were from the Irrawaddy delta, Pegu, Mon State and Tenassirm Division. Authorities have arrested several of the traffickers, however many of them escaped. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=17331
Sex Trafficking2009
United States US
Authorities say this is the first case in the area, perhaps in the state, where the victims are local residents, recruited and held hostage. The first discovered victim was raped, assaulted, threatened with bodily harm or death if she fled and was forced to work as a prostitute. She was also forced to dance at the Vegas Showgirls nightclub in St. Petersburg. Officials say there are more victims being discovered. and that they are aware of drugs being involved. They brought women to the $600,000 home in Treasure Island with promises of prosperity, deputies say, then took their phones and identification and began a cycle of sexual and mental torture and mind control until the girls felt like they had nowhere else to go. They brought the women to strip clubs, where they were forced to dance and sell themselves while trailed by "handlers." The girls were also forced to recruit other girls. Sources: http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/article999813.ece http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/article1000126.ece
Bonded Labor2009
United States US
Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States