Five Indian-Americans charged in Nebraska human trafficking case
The accused — Kentakumar 'Ken' Chaudhari (36), Rashmi Ajit 'Falguni' Samani (42), Amit Prahladbhai 'Amit' Chaudhari (32), Amit Babubhai 'Matt' Chaudhari (33), and Maheshkumar 'Mahesh' Chaudhari (38) — allegedly owned and managed hotels where minors and adults were exploited for sex and forced labour.
U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods called the crimes 'evil,' vowing that Nebraska law enforcement 'will seek it, find it, root it out, and ensure every rescued victim has an opportunity to obtain justice and freedom from their captors.'
According to court documents, 10 minors — some under 12 — and 17 adults were rescued. Victims allegedly endured unsafe conditions, long hours, little to no pay, and in some cases, were forced into sexual activity. The FBI said drugs and prostitution were encouraged at the hotels to generate profits.
Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI's Omaha Field Office described the operation as 'modern-day slavery,' urging victims or informants to contact authorities. Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Mark Zito said the crimes 'prey on the vulnerable' and show 'no regard for the laws or values of our nation.'
Charges also include visa fraud involving staged robberies, illegal border crossings, and transporting undocumented immigrants for profit. Authorities seized over $565,000 in cash and placed liens on hotel properties to prevent their sale.
The FBI, DHS, Omaha Police, Nebraska State Patrol, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Marshals, and the Nebraska Attorney General's Office collaborated in the investigation. Officials stress that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This article is published in an arrangement with 5WH.
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