A federal grand jury in Puerto Rico has indicted Luz Maria Peña Lopez, 55, and her daughter, Tatiana Correa Peña, 36, both of Carolina, on charges of forced labor and conspiracy to commit forced labor. The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico W. Stephen Muldrow. In addition to these charges, Peña Lopez faces a count of document servitude, and her husband, Enrique Gutierrez Rivera, 54, a municipal police officer in Carolina, is charged with misprision of a felony for allegedly failing to report and concealing the misuse of the victim’s Social Security benefits. All three were arrested earlier today.
The indictment alleges that Peña Lopez and Correa Peña forced an intellectually disabled adult woman to panhandle for money, engage in criminal and fraudulent activities for their financial benefit, and perform domestic labor in their home. The methods described include physical beatings, restraint, threats of violence, withholding documents, isolation, denial of hygiene and medical care, and the provision of drugs or unprescribed medication. The two are also accused of converting the victim’s monthly Social Security disability benefits for personal use.
“The Justice Department condemns the appalling abuse and forced labor inflicted on this disabled victim, as alleged in this indictment, and we are committed to ensuring the perpetrators face the full consequences of the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
According to the indictment, Peña Lopez and Correa Peña allegedly threatened the victim with violence and death; beat her with objects such as belts, broomsticks, and cables; restricted her movement by forcing her to sleep in a space previously used to house animals and at times locking her inside overnight; and used her Social Security benefits while denying her access to basic hygiene items.
If convicted, the maximum sentence for forced labor is 20 years in federal prison. Misprision of a felony carries a maximum penalty of three years.
The FBI is investigating the case. Prosecution will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daynelle Alverez and Trial Attorney Jessica Arco from the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
Authorities encourage anyone with relevant information about this case to contact the FBI Field Office at 1-787-987-6500. Individuals who believe they or someone they know may be a victim of human trafficking are urged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
It is noted that an indictment is only an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
