Three siblings have been sentenced in a disturbing case of kidnapping, forced labor, and conspiracy in Illinois. Domingo Francisco-Juan, 44, was sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping, forced labor, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping and forced labor. The court also ordered Francisco-Juan to pay $50,000 in restitution to a victim.
Lorenza Domingo-Castaneda, 35, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for forced labor and conspiracy to commit forced labor. She was also ordered to pay over $80,000 in restitution to three victims.
Catarina Domingo-Juan, 41, was previously sentenced on Dec. 18, 2023, to 240 months in prison for forced labor and conspiracy to commit forced labor. She was ordered to pay over $80,000 in restitution to three victims.
All three defendants are siblings and Guatemalan nationals. The case involved the exploitation of two minors and a third victim, who were subjected to physical and sexual abuse to compel them to work as domestic servants, hotel maids, and factory laborers.
‘Forced labor crimes exploit children and some of the most vulnerable members of society and strike at the heart of human dignity,’ said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke. ‘Francisco-Juan’s sentence is historic, marking the first life sentence in over a decade in a forced labor case under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.’
The case was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The partnership across all levels of government was imperative in bringing the defendants to justice, according to U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris.
The three siblings conspired to bring one minor victim from Guatemala to the United States to work in Lorenza Domingo-Castaneda and Catarina Domingo-Juan’s homes between December 2015 and January 2021. Domingo Francisco-Juan accompanied the minor victim into the United States after falsely assuring the victim’s mother that the victim would receive a better education and opportunities within the United States if permitted to travel with him.
In total, the victims were subjected to physical and sexual abuse to compel them to work around the clock for the benefit of the defendants. Domingo Francisco-Juan received the victim’s domestic services around the homes, while Lorenza Domingo-Castaneda and Catarina Domingo-Juan took the money that the minor victim earned working outside of their homes.
The sentences imposed in this case should send a message to human traffickers everywhere that there will be severe consequences for their actions, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke.
The victims, two of whom were children, were subjected to physical and sexual abuse to compel them to work as domestic servants, hotel maids, and factory laborers. The case highlights the insidious nature of labor traffickers and the need for continued efforts to protect endangered members of our society from these horrific crimes.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are committed to fighting against the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and supporting victims by providing critical resources and services.
Defendant: Domingo Francisco-Juan. Charges: Kidnapping, forced labor, conspiracy to commit kidnapping and forced labor. City and state: Peoria, Illinois. Date: 2024. Sentence: Life in prison. Restitution: $50,000.
Defendant: Lorenza Domingo-Castaneda. Charges: Forced labor, conspiracy to commit forced labor. City and state: Peoria, Illinois. Date: 2024. Sentence: 20 years in prison. Restitution: $80,000.
Defendant: Catarina Domingo-Juan. Charges: Forced labor, conspiracy to commit forced labor. City and state: Peoria, Illinois. Date: Dec. 18, 2023. Sentence: 240 months in prison. Restitution: $80,000.
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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