Satish Kartan, Forced Labor, California 2019

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A Sacramento man has been sentenced to 15 years and 8 months in prison for his role in a human trafficking scheme that exploited foreign nationals for forced labor.

Satish Kartan, 46, was found guilty of conspiracy to obtain forced labor, two counts of obtaining forced labor, and one count of fraud in foreign labor contracting. His wife, Sharmistha Barai, 40, was also found guilty and was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months in prison on October 2, 2019.

According to court documents, Kartan and his wife used threats, intimidation, and violence to force the victims to work long hours for minimal pay. The victims were subjected to verbal abuse and were deprived of basic sustenance.

'Kartan earned his sentence by the systematic abuse and exploitation of vulnerable women for the benefit of his wife and family,' said U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott. 'He verbally abused multiple victims, withheld basic sustenance from them, and physically intimidated them. Today's sentence will send a loud message to others engaged in human trafficking and labor.'

The victims were forced to work up to 18 hours a day, with minimal pay, and were subjected to intimidation, threats, and violence. Kartan and his wife used visa fraud to exploit the victims and make a profit.

Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division said, 'The United States abolished slavery and involuntary servitude more than 150 years ago. Yet, inhuman forced labor and deprivations of liberty and dignity persist because human traffickers proliferate modern-day slavery, and endeavor to exploit their fellow human beings for profit.'

Kartan was ordered to pay $15,657 in restitution to the three victims, which will cover their back wages and other losses. The victims were able to escape the exploitation and are now receiving support and services to help them recover.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service, the FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations. The Stockton Police Department also assisted in the investigation.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/husband-sentenced-over-15-years-prison-human-trafficking-convictions-related-forced