Grimy Times Exclusive: A Georgia couple’s sinister operation of two Mexican restaurants has come to light as Efrain Gonzalez, 40, and Estella Gonzalez, 34, both of Peachtree City, face a 16-count indictment for their alleged role in a labor trafficking conspiracy.
Between March 2021 and October 2022, the couple is accused of using force, threats of force, coercion, and abuse of law and legal process to compel victims to engage in forced labor at their restaurants, Sabor A Mexico at 805 Floy Farr Parkway, Fayetteville, Georgia, and Sabor A Mexico at 7860B Ella Lane, Fairburn, Georgia.
The indictment alleges that the couple engaged in alien smuggling for commercial gain, with Efrain Gonzalez facing five counts of alien smuggling and Estella Gonzalez facing one count. The charge of forced labor carries a maximum of 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Travis Picknard of HSI Atlanta made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Annalise Peters and Trial Attorney Kate Hill of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit are prosecuting the case.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. If you have information about this case, call the HSI tip line at 866-DHS-2423.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Human Trafficking|Labor Trafficking|Forced Labor
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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