http://marconews.com/news/human_trafficking/?partner=RSSmarconews.com Stories: Forbidden Freedom: Slavery in Southwest Floridaen-ushuman_trafficking/news/human_trafficking/?partner=RSShttp://marconews.com/feeds/headlines/human_trafficking/2008-12-03T14:57:16.124702Copyright marconews.com, 2008http://marconews.com/news/2007/dec/07/family_accused_enslaving_workers_immokalee_camp/?partner=RSSMembers of an Immokalee family were in federal court Friday to deny charges that they harbored and helped 15 illegal aliens stay in Immokalee on their property, including some who were kept in a box truck. During the investigation, at least one of the illegal aliens told authorities the suspects charged the men fees for what they needed, such as $5 to take a shower with a garden hose. embatista@naplesnews.com (ELYSA BATISTA)Sat, 08 Dec 2007 01:47:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2007/dec/07/family_accused_enslaving_workers_immokalee_camp/?partner=RSShuman_trafficking1582922007-12-07T20:47:002007-12-07T20:47:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008Members of an Immokalee family were in federal court Friday to deny charges that they harbored and helped 15 illegal aliens stay in Immokalee on their property, including some who were kept in a box truck. During the investigation, at least one of the illegal aliens told authorities the suspects charged the men fees for what they needed, such as $5 to take a shower with a garden hose. Bonita Springs, FLELYSA BATISTAFamily accused of enslaving workers at Immokalee campmarconews.comfamily_accused_enslaving_workers_immokalee_camphttp://marconews.com/news/2007/sep/19/human_trafficking_marco_island_islanders_learn_war/?partner=RSSLate Tuesday, the Knights of Columbus and the Council of Catholic Women gathered together at San Marco Catholic Church to find out how to prevent and recognize warning signs of the fastest growing criminal industry in the world, human trafficking. hoswald@marconews.com (HARMONY OSWALD)Wed, 19 Sep 2007 19:36:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2007/sep/19/human_trafficking_marco_island_islanders_learn_war/?partner=RSSlocal1500642007-09-19T15:36:002007-09-19T15:36:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008Late Tuesday, the Knights of Columbus and the Council of Catholic Women gathered together at San Marco Catholic Church to find out how to prevent and recognize warning signs of the fastest growing criminal industry in the world, human trafficking. Bonita Springs, FLHARMONY OSWALDHuman trafficking on Marco Island?: Islanders learn warning signs of ‘underground slavery’marconews.comhuman_trafficking_marco_island_islanders_learn_warhttp://marconews.com/news/2006/jun/23/immokalee_sets_stage_international_talk_human_traf/?partner=RSSA bus pulled into Immokalee yesterday afternoon, but instead of sweat-drenched farm workers, an impeccably dressed team of international representatives stepped out into the sweltering afternoon heat. These political movers and shakers stood inside Immokalee trailers and watched the workers translate the weight of a bucket of tomatoes into minimal salaries. jgmenendez@naplesnews.com (Joselle Galis-Menendez )Fri, 23 Jun 2006 04:21:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2006/jun/23/immokalee_sets_stage_international_talk_human_traf/?partner=RSShuman_trafficking993622006-06-23T00:21:002006-06-23T00:21:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008A bus pulled into Immokalee yesterday afternoon, but instead of sweat-drenched farm workers, an impeccably dressed team of international representatives stepped out into the sweltering afternoon heat. These political movers and shakers stood inside Immokalee trailers and watched the workers translate the weight of a bucket of tomatoes into minimal salaries. Bonita Springs, FLImmokalee sets stage for international talk on human traffickingmarconews.comimmokalee_sets_stage_international_talk_human_trafhttp://marconews.com/news/2006/jun/20/man_pleads_not_guilty_last_human_trafficking_cases/?partner=RSS A Lee County man has entered a not guilty plea to charges he raped a Guatemalan teen four times while she allegedly was held in sexual and domestic servitude. Mario Pascual, 23, of North Fort Myers, was charged earlier this month with four counts of lewd sexual battery after federal and local investigators said Pascual raped a teenage girl who is at the heart of Lee County's sole surviving human trafficking case in federal court. klzambo@bonitanews.com (Kristen Zambo)Tue, 20 Jun 2006 04:01:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2006/jun/20/man_pleads_not_guilty_last_human_trafficking_cases/?partner=RSSpolice-fire989872006-06-20T00:01:002006-06-20T00:01:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008 A Lee County man has entered a not guilty plea to charges he raped a Guatemalan teen four times while she allegedly was held in sexual and domestic servitude. Mario Pascual, 23, of North Fort Myers, was charged earlier this month with four counts of lewd sexual battery after federal and local investigators said Pascual raped a teenage girl who is at the heart of Lee County's sole surviving human trafficking case in federal court. Bonita Springs, FLMan pleads not guilty in last of human trafficking casesmarconews.comman_pleads_not_guilty_last_human_trafficking_caseshttp://marconews.com/news/2006/jun/17/man_faces_extra_month_jail_undocumented_worker/?partner=RSS A man planning on a transfer for deportation hearings learned Friday that he first must spend another month in jail in what started as a human smuggling case, but turned into an undocumented worker caught driving down the interstate. klzambo@bonitanews.com (Kristen Zambo)Sat, 17 Jun 2006 04:01:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2006/jun/17/man_faces_extra_month_jail_undocumented_worker/?partner=RSSpolice-fire987262006-06-17T00:01:002006-06-17T00:01:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008 A man planning on a transfer for deportation hearings learned Friday that he first must spend another month in jail in what started as a human smuggling case, but turned into an undocumented worker caught driving down the interstate. Bonita Springs, FLMan faces extra month in jail as undocumented workermarconews.comman_faces_extra_month_jail_undocumented_workerhttp://marconews.com/news/2006/jun/09/group_begins_search_slavery_victims/?partner=RSSCommon goals brought them together: Find more human trafficking victims. Rescue more lives. The first state human trafficking task force meeting brought more than 60 law enforcers, social service providers and victim advocates to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office training room Thursday in Fort Myers. Fri, 09 Jun 2006 04:26:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2006/jun/09/group_begins_search_slavery_victims/?partner=RSShuman_trafficking978642006-06-09T00:26:002006-06-09T00:26:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008Common goals brought them together: Find more human trafficking victims. Rescue more lives. The first state human trafficking task force meeting brought more than 60 law enforcers, social service providers and victim advocates to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office training room Thursday in Fort Myers. Bonita Springs, FLGroup begins search for slavery victimsmarconews.comgroup_begins_search_slavery_victimshttp://marconews.com/news/2006/jun/06/guatemala_urged_get_tougher_human_trafficking/?partner=RSS The most definitive document on human trafficking ever produced by the United States government sums up Guatemala in four paragraphs. Believed to be a primary source of trafficking victims in Lee County, the country is making progress in addressing the crime, but not enough to put it entirely in America's good graces, according to the U.S. Department of State's 2006 Trafficking in Persons Report. The report was released Monday. amapollo@naplesnews.com (Anne Marie Apollo)Tue, 06 Jun 2006 04:01:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2006/jun/06/guatemala_urged_get_tougher_human_trafficking/?partner=RSShuman_trafficking975252006-06-06T00:01:002006-06-06T00:01:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008 The most definitive document on human trafficking ever produced by the United States government sums up Guatemala in four paragraphs. Believed to be a primary source of trafficking victims in Lee County, the country is making progress in addressing the crime, but not enough to put it entirely in America's good graces, according to the U.S. Department of State's 2006 Trafficking in Persons Report. The report was released Monday. Bonita Springs, FLGuatemala urged to get tougher on human traffickingmarconews.comguatemala_urged_get_tougher_human_traffickinghttp://marconews.com/news/2006/jun/05/migrant_educators_warn_about_human_trafficking_gua/?partner=RSS Better you than us. That's what migrant educators from Southwest Florida heard when they delivered public service announcements warning about human trafficking to rural Guatemala last month. Brigita Gahr and Genelle Grant encouraged leaders in remote Huehuetenango — where two Southwest Florida human trafficking victims once lived — to air the messages on community radio stations. Mon, 05 Jun 2006 04:02:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2006/jun/05/migrant_educators_warn_about_human_trafficking_gua/?partner=RSShuman_trafficking974182006-06-05T00:02:002006-06-05T00:02:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008 Better you than us. That's what migrant educators from Southwest Florida heard when they delivered public service announcements warning about human trafficking to rural Guatemala last month. Brigita Gahr and Genelle Grant encouraged leaders in remote Huehuetenango — where two Southwest Florida human trafficking victims once lived — to air the messages on community radio stations. Bonita Springs, FLMigrant educators take trafficking fight to Guatemalamarconews.commigrant_educators_warn_about_human_trafficking_guahttp://marconews.com/news/2006/may/25/man_pleads_guilty_transporting_mexican_woman_girl/?partner=RSSA Mexican man linked to a human trafficking case involving two young Mexican females didn’t know the pair could be forced into sex slavery when he brought them from Arizona to Fort Myers, federal officials said. Thu, 25 May 2006 04:27:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2006/may/25/man_pleads_guilty_transporting_mexican_woman_girl/?partner=RSShuman_trafficking962752006-05-25T00:27:002006-05-25T00:27:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008A Mexican man linked to a human trafficking case involving two young Mexican females didn’t know the pair could be forced into sex slavery when he brought them from Arizona to Fort Myers, federal officials said. Bonita Springs, FLMan pleads guilty to transporting Mexican woman, girlmarconews.comman_pleads_guilty_transporting_mexican_woman_girlhttp://marconews.com/news/2006/may/17/human_trafficking_responsibility_falling_local_law/?partner=RSSRadio ads in several languages and dialects are airing across Florida warning about the dangers of modern-day slavery. High-profile examples of the crime have brought documentaries and movie-makers to the state. Heads of local social service agencies recall the victims they’ve found, and saved, in just a year’s time. amapollo@naplesnews.com (Anne Marie Apollo)Wed, 17 May 2006 04:24:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2006/may/17/human_trafficking_responsibility_falling_local_law/?partner=RSShuman_trafficking954142006-05-17T00:24:002006-05-17T00:24:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008Radio ads in several languages and dialects are airing across Florida warning about the dangers of modern-day slavery. High-profile examples of the crime have brought documentaries and movie-makers to the state. Heads of local social service agencies recall the victims they’ve found, and saved, in just a year’s time. Bonita Springs, FLHuman trafficking responsibility falling to local law agenciesmarconews.comhuman_trafficking_responsibility_falling_local_lawhttp://marconews.com/news/2006/may/17/human_trafficking_documentary_tracks_teens_case_le/?partner=RSSRoll out the red carpet. Hollywood is coming to Lee County. The Coalition Against Human Trafficking in Southwest Florida on Tuesday announced the premiere of a Hallmark documentary about the crime of human trafficking will debut in Estero in September. amapollo@naplesnews.com (Anne Marie Apollo)Wed, 17 May 2006 04:23:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2006/may/17/human_trafficking_documentary_tracks_teens_case_le/?partner=RSShuman_trafficking954132006-05-17T00:23:002006-05-17T00:23:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008Roll out the red carpet. Hollywood is coming to Lee County. The Coalition Against Human Trafficking in Southwest Florida on Tuesday announced the premiere of a Hallmark documentary about the crime of human trafficking will debut in Estero in September.Bonita Springs, FLHuman trafficking documentary tracks teen's case in Lee Countymarconews.comhuman_trafficking_documentary_tracks_teens_case_lehttp://marconews.com/news/2006/may/12/man_sentenced_sexual_slavery_smuggled_teen/?partner=RSSA Lee County man asked for forgiveness Thursday, but a federal judge said he broke American laws and must take responsibility for repeated rapes a young girl suffered in his home from two other men. klzambo@bonitanews.com (Kristen Zambo)Fri, 12 May 2006 04:27:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2006/may/12/man_sentenced_sexual_slavery_smuggled_teen/?partner=RSShuman_trafficking948332006-05-12T00:27:002006-05-12T00:27:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008A Lee County man asked for forgiveness Thursday, but a federal judge said he broke American laws and must take responsibility for repeated rapes a young girl suffered in his home from two other men. Bonita Springs, FLMan sentenced for sexual slavery of smuggled teenmarconews.comman_sentenced_sexual_slavery_smuggled_teenhttp://marconews.com/news/2006/may/12/rape_charges_added_against_another_suspect_held_hu/?partner=RSSA federal probe into human trafficking that netted three Guatemalan immigrants and reportedly rescued a young girl from sexual slavery has added rape charges by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office against another Lee County man. Mario Pascual, 23, of North Fort Myers, has been held in the Lee and Hendry county jails since his detainment last spring. klzambo@bonitanews.com (Kristen Zambo)Fri, 12 May 2006 04:26:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2006/may/12/rape_charges_added_against_another_suspect_held_hu/?partner=RSShuman_trafficking948362006-05-12T00:26:002006-05-12T00:26:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008A federal probe into human trafficking that netted three Guatemalan immigrants and reportedly rescued a young girl from sexual slavery has added rape charges by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office against another Lee County man. Mario Pascual, 23, of North Fort Myers, has been held in the Lee and Hendry county jails since his detainment last spring. Bonita Springs, FLRape charges added against another suspect held in human trafficking casemarconews.comrape_charges_added_against_another_suspect_held_huhttp://marconews.com/news/2006/may/04/lawmakers_pass_legislation_protect_foreign_workers/?partner=RSSFlorida farmworkers and foreign laborers will be better protected under a pair of measures lawmakers approved Wednesday to boost penalties for human traffickers and require seat belts in vans carrying workers to the fields. With no debate, lawmakers sent the pair of bills to Gov. Jeb Bush. mpeltier1234@comcast.net (MICHAEL PELTIER)Thu, 04 May 2006 04:26:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2006/may/04/lawmakers_pass_legislation_protect_foreign_workers/?partner=RSShuman_trafficking939482006-05-04T00:26:002006-05-04T00:26:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008Florida farmworkers and foreign laborers will be better protected under a pair of measures lawmakers approved Wednesday to boost penalties for human traffickers and require seat belts in vans carrying workers to the fields. With no debate, lawmakers sent the pair of bills to Gov. Jeb Bush. TALLAHASSEEMICHAEL PELTIERLawmakers pass legislation to protect foreign workersmarconews.comlawmakers_pass_legislation_protect_foreign_workershttp://marconews.com/news/2006/apr/21/senate_toughens_human_trafficking_law_house_poised/?partner=RSSThe Florida Senate on Thursday passed a measure bolstering penalties for those who, through intimidation and coercion, force foreign laborers into servitude under what critics say is nothing short of modern-day slavery. mpeltier1234@comcast.net (MICHAEL PELTIER)Fri, 21 Apr 2006 04:26:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2006/apr/21/senate_toughens_human_trafficking_law_house_poised/?partner=RSShuman_trafficking924172006-04-21T00:26:002006-04-21T00:26:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008The Florida Senate on Thursday passed a measure bolstering penalties for those who, through intimidation and coercion, force foreign laborers into servitude under what critics say is nothing short of modern-day slavery. TALLAHASSEEMICHAEL PELTIERSenate toughens human trafficking law; House poised to do samemarconews.comsenate_toughens_human_trafficking_law_house_poisedhttp://marconews.com/news/2006/apr/20/modernday_abolitionist_movement/?partner=RSSA year ago today, Nola Theiss arranged a group of tables, put out a sign-in sheet and introduced a group of people she hoped would work together to solve a problem. amapollo@naplesnews.com (Anne Marie Apollo)Thu, 20 Apr 2006 04:29:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2006/apr/20/modernday_abolitionist_movement/?partner=RSShuman_trafficking922962006-04-20T00:29:002006-04-20T00:29:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008A year ago today, Nola Theiss arranged a group of tables, put out a sign-in sheet and introduced a group of people she hoped would work together to solve a problem. Bonita Springs, FLModern-day abolitionist movementmarconews.commodernday_abolitionist_movementhttp://marconews.com/news/2006/apr/20/group_working_extablish_shelter_victims_human_traf/?partner=RSSFinding the victims is only the first part of the challenge. Establishing a safe haven for the men, women and children experts believe are being exploited by human trafficking continues to trouble local advocates a year after the crime moved into the limelight in Lee County. amapollo@naplesnews.com (Anne Marie Apollo)Thu, 20 Apr 2006 04:25:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2006/apr/20/group_working_extablish_shelter_victims_human_traf/?partner=RSShuman_trafficking922982006-04-20T00:25:002006-04-20T00:25:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008Finding the victims is only the first part of the challenge. Establishing a safe haven for the men, women and children experts believe are being exploited by human trafficking continues to trouble local advocates a year after the crime moved into the limelight in Lee County. Bonita Springs, FLGroup working to establish a shelter for victims of human traffickingmarconews.comgroup_working_extablish_shelter_victims_human_trafhttp://marconews.com/news/2006/apr/15/statewide_task_force_stamp_out_slavery/?partner=RSS Human trafficking combatants calling for a statewide task force to stamp out slavery have found a sympathetic ear with the power to do something about it. State Sen. Burt Saunders, R-Naples, plans to ask the Legislature to set aside $200,000 for the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking to establish a task force and network to swap information on slavery cases and train law enforcers and service providers across the state. Sat, 15 Apr 2006 04:00:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2006/apr/15/statewide_task_force_stamp_out_slavery/?partner=RSShuman_trafficking917962006-04-15T00:00:002006-04-15T00:00:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008 Human trafficking combatants calling for a statewide task force to stamp out slavery have found a sympathetic ear with the power to do something about it. State Sen. Burt Saunders, R-Naples, plans to ask the Legislature to set aside $200,000 for the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking to establish a task force and network to swap information on slavery cases and train law enforcers and service providers across the state. Bonita Springs, FLSaunders seeks $200,000 to fight slaverymarconews.comstatewide_task_force_stamp_out_slaveryhttp://marconews.com/news/2006/apr/07/coalition_against_human_trafficking_lights_candle_/?partner=RSSSeven candles, seven lives. Burning at the front of the sanctuary at First Assembly of God Church in Fort Myers, the candles were a reminder of all the reasons people touch a flame to twisted wick: in hope, in prayer, to save a soul. amapollo@naplesnews.com (Anne Marie Apollo)Fri, 07 Apr 2006 04:22:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2006/apr/07/coalition_against_human_trafficking_lights_candle_/?partner=RSShuman_trafficking907892006-04-07T00:22:002006-04-07T00:22:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008Seven candles, seven lives. Burning at the front of the sanctuary at First Assembly of God Church in Fort Myers, the candles were a reminder of all the reasons people touch a flame to twisted wick: in hope, in prayer, to save a soul. Bonita Springs, FLCoalition Against Human Trafficking lights candle for those rescued from slaverymarconews.comcoalition_against_human_trafficking_lights_candle_http://marconews.com/news/2006/mar/31/antihuman_trafficking_office_opens_bonita/?partner=RSSAnna Rodriguez can remember the exact day almost four years ago that she opened a little office in Naples to combat human trafficking. This labor of love for Rodriguez has expanded beyond Collier County’s borders. It has spilled over into Lee County, where the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking opened an office about two weeks ago. klzambo@bonitanews.com (Kristen Zambo)Fri, 31 Mar 2006 05:26:00 -0000http://marconews.com/news/2006/mar/31/antihuman_trafficking_office_opens_bonita/?partner=RSShuman_trafficking899922006-03-31T00:26:002006-03-31T00:26:00Copyright marconews.com, 2008Anna Rodriguez can remember the exact day almost four years ago that she opened a little office in Naples to combat human trafficking. This labor of love for Rodriguez has expanded beyond Collier County’s borders. It has spilled over into Lee County, where the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking opened an office about two weeks ago. Bonita Springs, FLAnti-human trafficking office opens in Bonitamarconews.comantihuman_trafficking_office_opens_bonita