USCIS Assists Federal Operation Targeting Nebraska Human Trafficking Ring at Area Hotels
At least one defendant is charged with U visa fraud-related charges
OMAHA, Neb. — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided valuable assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies during a coordinated operation targeting a human trafficking ring operating in Omaha-area hotels.
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that five people were charged by complaint for a range of federal violations that center around their alleged conspiracy to engage in labor trafficking, sex trafficking, and harboring of aliens at several hotel locations across the Omaha metro area and into central Nebraska. The defendants own, operate, and manage several hotels in the Omaha metro area.
The five charged and arrested are:
- Kentakumar Chaudhari, a/k/a Ken Chaudhari, age 36, of Elkhorn, NE;
- Rashmi Ajit Samani, a/k/a Falguni Samani, age 42, of Elkhorn, NE;
- Amit Prahladbhai Chaudhari, a/k/a Amit, age 32, of Omaha;
- Amit Babubhai Chaudhari, a/k/a Matt, age 33, of Omaha; and
- Maheshkumar Chaudhari, a/k/a Mahesh, age 38, of Norfolk, NE.
Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners worked together to safely execute search warrants at 14 business premises and two residential locations associated with the defendants.
During the operation, 10 minors were rescued from an alleged labor trafficking conspiracy that involved putting children under the age of 12 to work at hotels for long hours with little to no pay. Seventeen adult victims were also rescued from the same conspiracy. The complaint affidavit details the allegedly exploitative conditions these victims were subjected to while being required to pay the defendants for their lodging at the hotels.
The U. S. Attorney’s Office has alleged that one or more of the defendants were engaged in a sex trafficking conspiracy that allegedly victimized both minors and adults, and multiple defendants are alleged to have maintained these hotels as premises to conduct drug trafficking freely.
At least one of the defendants is charged with a conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government by instigating a criminal scheme designed to fraudulently obtain U visas. The U nonimmigrant status (U visa) is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.
The complaint further alleges one defendant engaged in conversations about the cost to bring someone from India to America and alleges that aliens were being transported by co-conspirators between Nebraska and Washington for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining Washington state driver’s licenses for around $1,000 per document.
U.S. Attorney Woods commended the unparalleled investigative coordination and accomplishment of this case achieved by the combined efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office, the Omaha Police Department, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Branch, the United States Marshals Service, and the Nebraska State Attorney General’s Office. USCIS assistance included furnishing immigration status updates and verifying immigration documentation.
The redacted complaint affidavit contains a more complete summary of the allegations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This is an ongoing federal investigation. The FBI requests anyone having additional information on the crimes occurring at these locations or other business locations in Nebraska where similar crimes occurred, contact the Omaha FBI field office.
Wilner & O’Reilly, APLC commends the USCIS, the Department of Homeland Security, and other law enforcement agencies involved in targeting human traffickers.
Protecting the integrity of the immigration process is a priority for USCIS. To report suspected immigration benefit fraud or abuse to USCIS, please use the USCIS Tip Form.
FAQ
What recent federal operation targeted human trafficking in Nebraska hotels?
Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies conducted a coordinated operation targeting a human trafficking ring operating in Omaha-area hotels. This operation resulted in the arrest and charging of five individuals with multiple federal violations, including labor and sex trafficking, alien harboring, and visa fraud.
Who were the individuals charged in connection with the Omaha human trafficking ring?
The five people charged are Kentakumar Chaudhari (a/k/a Ken), Rashmi Ajit Samani (a/k/a Falguni Samani), Amit Prahladbhai Chaudhari (a/k/a Amit), Amit Babubhai Chaudhari (a/k/a Matt), and Maheshkumar Chaudhari (a/k/a Mahesh). They are accused of operating and managing several hotels involved in the alleged conspiracy.
What crimes are the defendants accused of committing?
The defendants are accused of conspiracy to engage in labor trafficking, sex trafficking, harboring of undocumented immigrants, maintaining drug trafficking premises, and participating in a fraudulent U visa scheme.
How many victims were rescued during the operation?
During the operation, authorities rescued ten minors—some under the age of 12—and seventeen adults from situations involving forced labor and alleged exploitation at the hotels managed by the defendants.
What is U visa fraud, and how does it relate to this case?
U visa fraud involves filing fraudulent applications for U nonimmigrant status, which is intended for victims of qualifying crimes who assist law enforcement. In this case, at least one defendant is accused of conspiring to fraudulently obtain U visas for individuals who were not genuine victims.
What role did U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) play in this investigation?
USCIS assisted with the investigation by furnishing immigration status updates and verifying immigration documentation, helping law enforcement identify immigration benefit fraud and support the integrity of our immigration system.
Were drugs involved in the activities at these hotels?
Yes, the complaint alleges that some defendants maintained hotel premises where drug trafficking was permitted to occur freely as part of the broader criminal activities.
What are the allegations regarding bringing individuals from India and obtaining fraudulent documents?
The complaint alleges that at least one defendant discussed the costs to bring someone from India to the U.S. and was involved in transporting individuals to Washington state to fraudulently obtain state driver’s licenses for approximately $1,000 per document.
How can individuals report suspected immigration benefit fraud?
If you suspect immigration benefit fraud or abuse, you can report it directly to USCIS using their online tip form. We strongly encourage our clients and the public to help ensure the integrity of the immigration process by reporting suspicious activities.
What should you do if you have information about related crimes in Nebraska?
If you have any information about these or similar crimes, we recommend contacting the Omaha FBI field office to help with ongoing investigations and protect further victims of trafficking or related criminal activity.
