HONOLULU (KHON2) — A Hawai‘i County woman faces serious charges after being indicted for labor trafficking.
On Aug. 27, a state grand jury indicted a 26-year-old woman on nine counts of Labor Trafficking in the First Degree.
Prosecutors said she allegedly forced minors to perform labor or services without fair compensation.
Arrest and investigation
The Department of the Attorney General’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division led the case.
The investigation included help from the U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, the Wage and Hour Division, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the Hawai‘i County Police Department.
Police arrested the woman on Tuesday, Sept. 2. The case is being prosecuted by Special Investigation and Prosecution Division Deputy Attorney General Leigh Okimoto.
Federal and state responses:
“Labor trafficking targets the most vulnerable people within our communities, including minors,” said Attorney General Anne Lopez. “My office stands ready to work with our federal, state and county partners to investigate and prosecute human trafficking in any form.”
“An important part of the mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of labor trafficking. This collaborative investigative effort with our local, state and federal partners affirms our commitment to investigate these types of allegations,” said Quentin Heiden, Special Agent-in-Charge, Western Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
“The arrest of Ludin Yorleny Pena Miranda shows how federal, state and local agencies work together to fight human trafficking and protect vulnerable people. Homeland Security Investigations is committed to bringing justice to those who exploit our communities, especially when minors are involved,” said Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Christian Ammons.
The public may report suspected human trafficking to the Attorney General’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division. In an emergency, call 911.
Possible penalties
Labor Trafficking in the First Degree is a Class A felony. It carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of as much as $50,000.
But keep in mind that the woman is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
In 2021, the EEOC collected more than $4.8 million in a labor trafficking case involving Maui Pineapple in which 54 Thai farmworkers were exploited.