Human Trafficking

Any person who knowingly engages, or attempts to engage, in human trafficking with the intent or knowledge that the trafficked person will be subjected to forced labor or services, or benefits financially by receiving anything of value from participation in a venture that has subjected a person to forced labor or services, commits the offense of human trafficking. A person who is found guilty of this offense commits a felony of the second degree, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

"Forced labor or services" means labor or services obtained from a person by:

• Using or threatening to use physical force against that person or another person;
• Restraining, isolating, or confining or threatening to restrain, isolate, or confine that person or another person without lawful authority and against her or his will;
• Using lending or other credit methods to establish a debt by that person or another person when labor or services are pledged as a security for the debt, if the value of the labor or services as reasonably assessed is not applied toward the liquidation of the debt, the length and nature of the labor or services are not respectively limited and defined;
• Destroying, concealing, removing, confiscating, withholding, or possessing any actual or purported passport, visa, or other immigration document, or any other actual or purported government identification document, of that person or another person;
• Causing or threatening to cause financial harm to any person; or
• Fraud or coercion.

Prosecutors have focused their attention on human trafficking and associated crimes such as soliciting prostitution and generating income from prostitution.  Their aggressive sweeps have been known to entangle innocent bystanders and individuals with minor participation in human trafficking rings.  These cases are typically founded on allegations from individuals with motives and reasons to fabricate allegations.  As part of the human trafficking laws, many benefits such as relocation assistance, housing and other services are being offered to alleged victims of human trafficking.  These benefits may provide a motive and reason to fabricate or exaggerate the allegations.

Conducting a thorough investigation into the accuser is essential in defense of a human trafficking charge. If necessary, Erick Cruz will retain private investigators to assist in exploring the motivations of the accusers and exposing their bias. By collecting as much information on the accusers as possible, Erick will identify and exploit the motives and bias of your accuser in order to prove that the allegations are fabrications or greatly exaggerated. 

Call Erick to discuss your case with him and find out how to get your human trafficking case dismissed or charges and sentence reduced and arrest record sealed or expunged.