Pinoy couple indicted on human smuggling charges

Pinoy couple indicted on human smuggling charges: "Maximino 'Max' Morales, 44, and his wife Melinda Morales, 46, were released after posting a $75k bond and $50k bond, respectively. Max Morales must wear an electronic monitoring device, according to the FBI.
The FBI arrested Max and Melinda Morales in their Paso Robles home Tuesday morning after an investigation found that the couple allegedly smuggled Filipino nationals and forced them to work as caregivers in their nursing homes for little or no pay.
The couple owned four elder care facilities in Paso Robles, about a three hours north of Los Angeles. All four home care facilities have now closed and the 19 patients have either been brought back to their families or to other care homes.
According to the affidavit, the FBI launched an investigation last November after two of the forced laborers confided their plight to a family member of one of the residents of the care home, who then notified the FBI.
The federal complaint alleges that the victims were recruited by the couple with promises of work in the United States, and then smuggled into the United States on transit visas. Once the victims arrived in the United States, they were forced to work entire days for as many as seven days a week, with little pay. Additionally, the couple confiscated victims’ passports and threatened to harm their families and/or deport them if they left prior to paying off their debt."