E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
A Simi Valley couple, Carolina Rojas and Jairo John Gastelo, were arrested on charges of exploiting asylum-seeking immigrants from Latin America. The couple allegedly forced these individuals to perform domestic labor without pay and confiscated money they earned from external jobs. Both Rojas, 50, and Gastelo, 45, face one count of conspiracy to commit forced labor and four counts of forced labor.
Additionally, Rojas faces separate charges including trafficking related to forced labor, providing immigration documents to unauthorized persons, encouraging illegal entry, and witness tampering. Their trial is set for April 8 in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally stated: “As described in the indictment, the defendants smuggled individuals into the United States and exploited them for their own financial gain.” Eddy Wang from HSI Los Angeles added: “Today’s indictment shows the great lengths that the defendants went through to enrich themselves off smuggled aliens.”
The indictment alleges that between November 2021 and March 2024, Rojas and Gastelo recruited foreign nationals from Latin America for forced labor at their home. Rojas purportedly assisted with travel arrangements and transportation upon arrival in the U.S., leading victims to their residence where they were compelled to provide childcare and other services as rent compensation.
Rojas allegedly arranged employment for some victims at a local McDonald's in Simi Valley while retaining part of their earnings as repayment for smuggling fees. Fraudulent documents were reportedly procured by Rojas to aid victims in securing jobs outside the home.
If convicted, both face significant prison sentences; five years for conspiracy to commit forced labor and up to 20 years per charge of forced labor. Additional penalties apply to Rojas's specific charges.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorneys K. Afia Bondero and Matt Coe-Odess are prosecuting the case.
