HONOLULU (KHON2) — An Oahu woman has been charged with three counts of Labor Trafficking in the First Degree.
On Thursday, May 23, Attorney General Anne Lopez announced that 53-year-old Anita Valdez “was criminally charged for allegedly committing labor trafficking.”
Court documents showed Valdez, who allegedly operated a produce farm on Oahu, obtained the victim “for labor or services by fraud and deception”.
Reports also stated that Valdez held onto the victim’s government-issued ID to prevent them from moving.
An important part of the mission of the United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of labor trafficking involving the use of coercion or force.
We will continue to work with the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, Homeland Security Investigations and our other law enforcement partners in Hawaiʻi to investigate these types of allegations.
Quentin Heiden, Special Agent in Charge, Western Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General
The U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services conducted the investigation.
On Wednesday, May 22, HPD arrested Valdez. The Department of the Attorney General’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division charged her the next day.
“Labor trafficking is modern-day slavery, and it robs victims of their freedom and dignity. HSI will remain vigilant in identifying and combating this insidious crime,” said Lucia Cabral-Dearmas, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Honolulu Assistant Special Agent in Charge.
Officials said Labor Trafficking in the First Degree is considered a Class A felony. Those who commit the crime can face 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.