Related Federal Cases
- Lenard Monroe’s Purple iPhone at Center of Drug Trafficking Case · Wisconsin
- 650 Register for Wis. Anti-Human Trafficking Confab · Wisconsin
- NC Man Sentenced for 1,064 lbs. Marijuana Trafficking in Texas Stop · Wisconsin
- Szczerba Gets 11+ Years in Prostitution Trafficking · Wisconsin
- Gas Pump Kingpin Perez-Martinez Gets 12 Years · Indiana
Gas Station Owner Charged with Labor Trafficking
A Milwaukee-area gas station owner has been charged with forced labor trafficking and other crimes in a federal indictment. Harshinder Bhatia, 58, was charged with one count of harboring an alien for financial gain, one count of forced labor involving aggravated sexual abuse, and one count of document servitude.
According to the indictment, Bhatia obtained the labor and services of an Indian national female using force and threats of force, causing her to believe that if she did not perform such labor and services, she would suffer serious harm. The indictment charges that this crime involved aggravated sexual abuse and was furthered by Bhatia’s possession of the victim’s passport.
Prosecutors say if convicted, Bhatia faces up to 5 years in prison on the charge of document servitude, up to 10 years in prison on the charge of alien harboring, and up to life in prison on the charge of forced labor. The indictment also notifies Bhatia of the government’s intention to seek forfeiture of a number of real properties used to facilitate these offenses or acquired as proceeds of these offenses.
Members of the Federal Human Trafficking Task Force, including special agents and detectives representing Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Labor, and the Milwaukee Police Department, are investigating the case.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erica J. Lounsberry.
Bhatia was arraigned on these charges on October 24, 2017. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
The investigation into Bhatia’s activities is ongoing, and it’s unclear at this time how long the alleged forced labor trafficking scheme was in operation. However, the indictment states that the crimes occurred between 2009 and 2011.
Details of the case are still emerging, but this development marks a significant step in the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking in the Milwaukee area.
Bhatia’s business has been the subject of scrutiny in the past, with allegations of labor exploitation and other forms of abuse surfacing in recent years.
RELATED: Dumas Sentenced to 13 Years
RELATED: Marengo Man Dumas Sentenced to 13 Years for Armed Robbery
Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Category: Human Trafficking|Sex Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
