MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) – A Wisconsin husband and wife have been formally indicted for allegedly coercing minors and young men into performing labor and services through threats of serious harm and abuse of the legal system.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the indictment, unsealed Monday, charges 50-year-old Luis Abreu with seven counts of forced labor, conspiracy to commit forced labor, and seven counts of harboring noncitizens for private financial gain. His wife, Cybell Abreu, 50, faces seven counts of forced labor and conspiracy to commit forced labor.
Between September 2015 and March 2018, the Abreus allegedly used threats and legal intimidation to force seven minor boys and young men to work. The indictment also claims Luis Abreu knowingly harbored the individuals, who were believed to be unlawfully present in the United States.
The couple made their initial appearance in court on Monday.
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The charge of forced labor carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Alien harboring for private financial gain carries up to 10 years in prison.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.