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Modern slavery in the United States

SlaveryMap documents 892 cases of modern slavery in the United States from 1981 to 2025. The most documented type is sex trafficking (38% of cases), followed by CSEC (36%). Overview and map →

Cases in the United States

Page 33 of 38 · 892 cases, newest first
CSEC2006

Waikiki, United States, 2006

United States US

Rodney D. King, 43, was charged with five counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government. Sharon-Mae Nishimura, 30, is accused of assisting King and was indicted on similar charges. King, also known as "Shadow" and "Special K," is scheduled to be arraigned in U.S. District Court here on June 29. A warrant has been issued for Nishimura's arrest.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
CSEC2006

Warren, Ohio, United States, 2006

United States US

Greg Lowery, 45, of Warren, Ohio, was charged with conspiracy to transport a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in prostitution or other unlawful sexual activity. Lowery's ex-girlfriend and co-defendant Pamela Tilley, 46, also of Warren, is charged with the same offense. Tilley is the mother of one of the children, the 13 year old. Tilley and Lowrey were using crack, drinking alcohol, and travelling across state lines into Pennsylvania to sell Tilley's daughter and a 15 year old runaway.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2006

Washington, D.C., United States, 2006

United States US

Intercepted phone calls and the discovery of police bribes led to the demise of this trafficking ring. A wiretap of a cell phone used by Tae Hoon Kim, a Flushing-based middleman and transported, led to the discovery of the Korean owned brothels. Approximately 67 Korean women were taken into custody to be questioned on whether or not they knew they were being forced into prostitution.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2006

Washington, D.C., United States, 2006

United States US

Intercepted phone calls and the discovery of police bribes led to the demise of this trafficking ring. A wiretap of a cell phone used by Tae Hoon Kim, a Flushing-based middleman and transported, led to the discovery of the Korean owned brothels. Approximately 67 Korean women were taken into custody to be questioned on whether or not they knew they were being forced into prostitution.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2006

Washington, D.C., United States, 2006

United States US

Intercepted phone calls and the discovery of police bribes led to the demise of this trafficking ring. A wiretap of a cell phone used by Tae Hoon Kim, a Flushing-based middleman and transported, led to the discovery of the Korean owned brothels. Approximately 67 Korean women were taken into custody to be questioned on whether or not they knew they were being forced into prostitution.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2006

Waterbury, Connecticut, United States, 2006

United States US

Intercepted phone calls and the discovery of police bribes led to the demise of this trafficking ring. A wiretap of a cell phone used by Tae Hoon Kim, a Flushing-based middleman and transported, led to the discovery of the Korean owned brothels. Approximately 67 Korean women were taken into custody to be questioned on whether or not they knew they were being forced into prostitution.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Domestic Servitude2006

Winchester, Massachusetts, United States, 2006

United States US

Hana Al. Jader, a 40 year old Saudi Princess, was caught withholding pay from two Indonesian women who worked for her as in-house servants. It is probable that these women worked for royal family in Saudi Arabia before they were brought Winchester in 2003. In 2003, she tried to extend their visas by sending in false employment documentation to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. The women had being cooking and cleaning for the royals as well as caring for the severely disabled prince and serving at their frequent parties.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2006

Worthington, Ohio, United States, 2006

United States US

The Columbus Police and Franklin County sheriff's deputies executed a search warrant inside the massage parlor. According to Franklin Co. Chief Deputy, the business was a front for organized prostitution. They found bags of condoms and $15,000 in cash, wrapped in aluminum foil.

1 sourceArchive 2008–2016
Domestic Servitude2005

Aurora, United States, 2005

United States US

Homaidan Al-Turki, 36, and his wife, Sarah Khonaizan, 35, are now in jail in Arapahoe County, facing both federal and state charges that they kept an Indonesian woman in her early 20s as a virtual slave for four years

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2005

Columbus, Ohio, United States, 2005

United States US

Four women--Chae Sun Leonard, Kim Freeman, Sayjai Wilson and Han Son Yi--The sources say they placed ads in local papers. Customers paid $60 at the front door and once inside, they could shell out hundreds more for sex. They say rank-and-file workers, like Atchariya Poosara and Rayvadee Koumphkand, were flown in from locations around the country. Although sources say they came willingly, they were locked inside the businesses for weeks at a time, generating revenue and promoting illegal activity. Detectives are now working to find yet another woman believed to have played a critical role in financing the operation. They hope her arrest will shut this enterprise down for good. were arrested in the bust of two massage parlors--the Oasis Health Club is in another report, this report is on the bust of Jade Clinic. The women face charges of prostitution soliciting and promoting prostitution.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Bonded Labor2005

Dallas, Texas, United States, 2005

United States US

Sung Bum Chang, owner of the Dallas club “Club Wa,” help club workers in conditions of forced labor at the karaoke club located on Walnut Hill Lane (Dallas) from December 2004 to April 26, 2005. Chang used a network that recruited women from South Korea to come to the U.S. with the promise of good jobs. Chang paid the victims’ smuggling fees, and confiscated their passports, telling them they could not leave until they had returned the money they owed him. They victims were held in the top floor of Chang’s home, and kept under constant surveillance and guard. The women would also be fined if they violated Chang’s “rules.” The victims worked as hostess in Club Wa, sitting with and entertaining customers, and encouraging them to buy more alcohol. Chang kept records of their earnings, and adjusted their debt accordingly, also including the price of their rent and food.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Bonded Labor2005

Denver, Colorado, United States, 2005

United States US

Young Jo Kwon and his wife Jessie, owners of Osaka Sushi in Denver, Colorado were accused of forcing two South Korean immigrants to work without pay. They have also been linked to the Korean mafia. The two withheld payment from the workers and threatened to get rid of their greencards and have them deported if they tried to escape.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2005

Detroit, Michigan, United States, 2005

United States US

Nine people worked to traffic Eastern European women to work as exotic dancers in Detroit-area strip clubs. Michail Aronov is believed to be the leader of the operation. The group used the business Beauty Search, Inc. as a cover to recruit women. The victims were then smuggled into the U.S. and forced to work as dancers in the clubs. The business partners referred to their plan for intimidation as “The System.” This involved taking the victims’ passports, imposing debts and monetary penalties, enforcing strict rules, and physical and verbal violence and threats. They also threatened to expose the victims as illegal immigrants. An escaped victim’s car was firebombed and used as a threat to others as the consequences of escape.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Forced Labor2005

Detroit, Michigan, United States, 2005

United States US

Between 2001 and 2005, a ring operating as Beauty Search Inc. recruited women in Ukraine, smuggled them into the US, in some cases through Mexico, and compelled them to work in Detroit-area exotic dance clubs for the ring's profit.

1 source
Bonded Labor2005

Fircrest, Washington, United States, 2005

United States US

ICE agents were led to her home by a package from China that was intercepted by Customs agents in San Francisco. Inside they found a phoney Chinese Passport had been hidden in a space hollowed out of a magazine. The package was destined for a woman at SHU’s University Place home. When agents arrived at the home they found a dozen people living there, many of whom worked at SHU’s Tacoma restaurant, the Rainbow Buffet. Eight of the individuals did not have legal status to remain in the United States. Interviews of these undocumented workers also disclosed that they either had not been paid for their work, or were being paid extremely low wages.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2005

Glendale, Arizona, United States, 2005

United States US

Gray was booked on suspicion of numerous sex-related charges, including sexual assault, kidnapping, 80 counts of receiving the earnings of a prostitute, 80 counts of pandering and 42 counts of operating a house of prostitution. Butler was booked on suspicion of child prostitution, kidnapping, 25 counts of receiving the earnings of a prostitute and 50 counts of pandering.

1 sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2005

Grandview Heights, Ohio, United States, 2005

United States US

Tamera "Danny" Flory, 40, was indicted on one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and 142 counts of promoting prostitution. This is the largest indictment involving prostitution in Franklin County, covering a period of seven years and five business entities.

1 sourceArchive 2008–2016
Forced Labor2005

Hawaii, United States, 2005

United States US

U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway on June 22 also ordered the South Korean businessman to pay $1.8 million in restitution to about 300 Vietnamese and Chinese nationals who were lured to the U.S. archipelago in the South Pacific to earn what they thought would be a steady stream of dollars. But instead of stitching clothing for U.S. manufacturers and retailers in humane conditions at the factory, the workers endured abuse, threats, lack of food and pay, confinement, sexual advances and unsanitary and stifling-hot dorms. The Vietnamese workers paid up to $8,000 per person to Vietnamese government labor export offices for the opportunity and documents to work at Lee's factory, which operated from 1998 to 2001. Yesterday, the Lynnwood resident said he is concerned about 90 workers who suffered abuse at the garment factory but who were later sent back to Vietnam. Many, he said, have lost their homes to loan sharks who lent them money at high interest rates to go abroad. The loan sharks, he added, also are harassing the repatriated workers for money owed. "I was thinking more about the victims in Vietnam," he said. "I knew (Lee) was going to jail. He deserved to go to jail. The length of time didn't concern me that much."

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2005

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, 2005

United States US

Wan Yo Kang, 37, also known as "Hannah," was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday on 11 felony counts of traveling across state lines to promote or manage prostitution activity in February 2005, enticing women to travel interstate to engage in prostitution and harboring two immigrants here illegally at her business, 350 Ward Ave., suite 115.

1 sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2005

Houston, Texas, United States, 2005

United States US

Maximino "Chimino" Mondragon and 8 other traffickers worked with Walter Alexander Corea and his son Kerin Silva to smuggle over 120 women, mostly from Central America, into the Houston area and force them to work in brothels. Lorenza Reyes-Nunez, aka "La Comadre," was involved in the trafficking and forced abortions upon women who became pregnant. The others involved include Maximino Mondragon's brother Oscar Mondragon, half brother Victor Omar Lopez and the wives or ex-wives of the Mondragon brothers, Olga Mondragon and Maria Fuentes. They are from El Salvador and Honduras.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2005

Hyde Park, Massachusetts, United States, 2005

United States US

Six men were accused in a federal indictment unsealed Thursday of forcing teenage girls as young as 15 to work as prostitutes, taking them to several states and Bermuda. The charges against Darryl Tavares, 24, of Revere, and two Boston men, Shaun Leoney, 26, and Ruben Porcher, 29, include sex trafficking of children and conspiracy to transport minors across state lines for prostitution. Trueheart Peeples, 30, of Portland, Maine; Eddie Jones, 25, of Boston; and Aaron Brooks, 23, of Quincy are charged with conspiracy to transport minors across state lines for prostitution and other crimes. Prosecutors say the Boston-based group operated from 2001 to 2005 in Massachusetts, Maine, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Florida and Pennsylvania. One of the girls was 15 when Porcher took her to Bermuda for prostitution, according to the indictment. The indictment alleges some members of the group had ties to a network of sex traffickers and met with them in New York City in May 2005 for a "toss-up" event, where pimps trade prostitutes. Leoney and Brooks are accused of driving a teenager to Orlando, Fla., on Memorial Day weekend of 2005 for prostitution activity sponsored by Hoodlum Entertainment, a company owned by two convicted sex traffickers. The indictment alleges that that girl, who was 17, also had worked for Jones and Tavares, and was assaulted at different times when she angered the two men. In April 2005, the indictment alleges, when Tavares believed she had given some of her prostitution earnings to Jones, Tavares and an associate assaulted her. Tavares allegedly instructed the associate to rape her with a hair brush. In early May, she began working for Jones, who kicked in her teeth for talking on her "work" cell phone with a man who was not a prostitution client, according to the indictment. After he disfigured her mouth, the indictment said, Jones "gave" her back to Tavares.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2005

Jamaica, New York, United States, 2005

United States US

With the arrest of two NYPD officers accused of accepting payoffs in cash, drinks, and prostitution services in exchange for raiding competing brothels, authorities are focusing on the extent of the brothel problem in Queens. Last week, the F.B.I., the police, the U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn, and Immigration and Customs agents announced the arrests of NYPD officers, Jerry Svoronos, and Dennis Kim who were assigned to the 109th Precinct, on charges of taking payoffs, both monetary and in trade, to allow the Asian brothel to flourish and protect the owners from competition. Officers Dennis Kim and Jerry Svoronos were arrested along with alleged brothel operators Gina Kim and Geeho Chae following a 10-month investigation. According to U.S. Assistant Attorney Steven H. Breslow, $800,000 in cash was found in the search of the homes and cars of Kim and Chae. On June 20, 2008, a judge delayed the sentencing of Kim after prosecutors dropped new allegations of police corruption in a Queens precinct. Ex-NYPD Officer Dennis Kim and his partner admitted accepting cash and sexual favors from a pimp in return for protecting a brothel in Flushing. Now, the churchgoing Kim could face significantly more jail time because of claims from an informant that he and other cops in the 109th Precinct planted drugs on suspects and stole cash during gambling raids.

2 sourcesArchive 2008–2016
Domestic Servitude2005

Jennings, Florida, United States, 2005

United States US

Victim’s cousin with the help of 2 detectives from the Florida human trafficking unit contacted Ponce-Moya and set up a place in Lee County for a financial quid pro quo to occur. FBI agents traced phone calls back to the trailer where victim was being held and monitored Ponce-Moya. After several phone calls Ponce-Moya agreed to meet the victims cousin to exchange the victim for 2,600 dollars in cash. FBI agents followed Ponce-Moya from his trailer and he was apprehended at a convenience store south of Jennings. He had the victim and 4 family members in his car.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Domestic Servitude2005

Miami, Florida, United States, 2005

United States US

In 1999, Maude and Saintfort Paulin arranged for the 14-year old victim to come to Miami from Haiti to work in their home. From 1999 to June 2005, Maude Paulin, along with her mother Evelyn Theodore, forced the victim to work as a domestic servant in their home, cleaning, cooking, and doing yard work. The victim worked up to 15 hours a day, seven days a week. She was forced to work through psychological and physical force, and with threats of jail and deportation back to Haiti if she refused to work. She was not paid.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016