MIAMI — Las Princesas had nothing to do with princesses. The farm labor contracting company was involved in human trafficking in Florida, according to federal prosecutors.
Martha Zeferino Jose, the owner of Las Princesas, profited from charging Mexican workers fees and manipulating them through debt, according to prosecutors.
Zeferino Jose, 42, her partner Jose Rodriguez, and her 23-year-old son Jeremy Zeferino Jose abused a visa program for temporary agricultural workers, according to Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva.
The trio confiscated the workers’ documents and demanded work in inhumane conditions at farms and plant nurseries, according to prosecutors.
The trio also “housed them in crowded, unsanitary residences that lacked heat, air conditioning, hot water, and bedding,” according to prosecutors.
The Labor Department and Homeland Security Investigations reported in some cases the farmworkers were denied wages, food, water, medical care, and forced to stay in the U.S. after their visas expired, according to prosecutors.
A federal grand jury returned a 35-count indictment on Friday, charging the trio with forced labor, conspiracy to commit forced labor, alien harboring for financial gain, conspiracy to commit alien harboring for financial gain, and document servitude offenses.
Martha Zeferino Jose, and Munoz also face a charge of conspiracy to obstruct proceedings before agencies. She also faces a charge of visa fraud, and Munoz also faces a charge of obstruction.
The U.S. Marshals Service also assisted with the case. Aside from Florida, Las Princesas also operated in Virginia and North Carolina.
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