LAS VEGAS, Nev. (KOLO) – A jury trial has been scheduled for May 19 for a Las Vegas man who appeared in court and was indicted this week for allegedly forcing three Cubans into domestic servitude, taking their passports and other identifications, and making false claims on immigration documents.
From about September 20, 2023, to July 31, 2024, 50-year-old Rafael Juan Mitjans took the victims’ passports, documents, and other government identification documents with the intent to restrict the victim’s ability to move and travel in order to maintain the labor and services of the victims, according to allegations made in court documents.
It was also alleged that Mitjans gave false statements to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services from June to September 2023, which said he would provide the victims money, a room with a bed, television, desk, laptop, clothing, shoes, hygiene products, and food.
Mitjans was charged with three counts of forced labor, three counts of unlawful conduct with respect to documents in furtherance of trafficking and forced labor, and three counts of false statements on immigration documents.
Mitjans will go before United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware II on May 19.
The maximum penalty is 20 years in prison.
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