Grimy Times
Aurora residents Santos Teodoro Ac-Salazar, 27, and Olga Choc Laj, 34, have been sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for their roles in a child labor trafficking ring in Aurora, IL.
According to court documents, between February 2019 and February 2020, Ac-Salazar and Choc Laj conspired to unlawfully enter the United States with two children who were not their own. The pair, both Guatemalan citizens, forced the children to work as their domestic servants and childcare providers, and would physically strike and threaten to strike the children if they did not comply.
The two victims, aged 15 and 10 at the time, were also forced to work various paying jobs outside the Aurora residence, with Ac-Salazar and Choc Laj taking nearly all of the earnings from the jobs the child worked.
U.S. District Court Judge Sara L. Ellis imposed the 78-month sentence, with a time served credit of 8 months, on both defendants. In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered Ac-Salazar and Choc Laj to pay $98,364 in restitution to the victims.
Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual stated, "This case outlines the extent to which many will go in order to enter and stay within this country, and the prevalence of child trafficking and labor trafficking occurring throughout our country on a daily basis."
HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Sean Fitzgerald added, "Those responsible for committing these heinous crimes sought to benefit financially by abusing the most vulnerable members of our community."
The investigation into Ac-Salazar and Choc Laj was led by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and involved assistance from the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Aurora Police Department, and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Related Federal Cases
- Child Labor Trafficking Ring Busted in Chicago Suburbs · Illinois
- Steven Edward Meierding Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Trafficking · Iowa
- Kenyata D. Miles Gets 15 Years for Child Sex Trafficking · Texas
- Minneapolis Man Jailed for Sex Trafficking Child in Fargo · Iowa
- Tyrell L. Moss Indicted in Interstate Child Sex Trafficking Case · Idaho
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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