The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced nearly a dozen children as young as 12 were rescued from trafficking at several hotels during a law enforcement operation in Nebraska.
Federal and state law enforcement officers executed search warrants in the early morning hours of August 12, 2025, at 14 business premises and two residential locations.
Five individuals were charged with federal crimes surrounding an alleged conspiracy to engage in labor trafficking, sex trafficking, and harboring of aliens at several hotels across Nebraska, U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods disclosed in a press release.
The operation recovered 10 minors and 17 adults, who were forced to work at the hotels for long hours with little to no pay. A complaint affidavit details the “exploitative conditions” the victims were subject to including “unclean, unsafe, and unhealthy” lodging accommodations.
Furthermore, at least one of the defendants was engaged in a sex trafficking conspiracy that allegedly victimized minors and adults. The hotels were also allegedly used as premises to conduct drug trafficking.
The five arrested individuals include:
- Kentakumar Chaudhari, age 36;
- Rashmi Ajit Samani, age 42;
- Amit Prahladbhai Chaudhari, age 32;
- Amit Babubhai Chaudhari, age 33; and
- Maheshkumar Chaudhari, age 38.
“There is no evil greater than the evil that seeks to trap, oppress, and exploit human beings for profit or pleasure,” attorney Woods said in a statement, adding,
Where that evil exists, Nebraska law enforcement working together at the federal, state, and local levels, as occurred in this case, will seek it, find it, root it out, and ensure every rescued victim has an opportunity to obtain justice and freedom from their captors.
Numerous law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office, the Omaha Police Department, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Branch, the United States Marshals Service, and the Nebraska State Attorney General’s Office.
“When so many law enforcement agencies come together as one team, united in their relentless pursuit of justice, there is no organized crime network operating within Nebraska’s borders that can escape identification and accountability,” Woods said.
Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel, leader of the Omaha FBI Field Office, said in a statement,
Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. This investigation revealed victims right here in the heart of the heartland forced into sexual activity, living and working in dangerous and filthy conditions, and extorted to work in grueling jobs with little to no pay.
We will always stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners to aggressively identify and apprehend perpetrators of human trafficking, hold them accountable, and obtain justice for victims.
The DOJ praised several vigilant citizens who made complaints to the Human Trafficking Hotlines about child workers and sex trafficking at one or more of the hotels.
Due to the number of victims the federal investigation has already identified, the FBI urges anyone with additional information on the crimes occurring at these locations or other business locations in Nebraska to contact the Omaha FBI field office.
Special Agent in Charge Mark Zito of ICE HSI Kansas City said in a statement,
There is nothing more reprehensible than exploiting human beings, particularly children, for sex, abusive labor conditions or deliberately violating U.S. immigration laws to profit from their suffering.
These criminals hide in the shadows, prey on the vulnerable and show no regard for the laws or values of our nation. Their crimes are calculated to be difficult to uncover but HSI and our federal partners have no intention of stopping until these predators are brought to justice and every victim is freed from their grip.
Earlier this year, the FBI announced the rescue of over 100 children in April as a result of Operation Soteria Shield; and the DOJ announced that Operation Restore Justice resulted in the rescue of 115 children in May.
Scripture tells us that government authorities are God’s servants for good (Rom. 13:4).
The Daily Citizen thanks all local, state and federal law enforcement officers involved in the operation for carrying out God’s work to rescue victims and bring perpetrators to justice.
The Justice Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888). The Trafficking Hotline also connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services they need to get help and stay safe.
Related articles and resources:
Counseling Consultation & Referrals
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
NCMEC’s 24/7 call center number: 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678)
My Rescue From Human Trafficking to New Life in Christ
Protecting Your Child From Sexual Abuse
Understanding the Scope of Human Trafficking
Human Trafficking: What You Need to Know
Talking to Your Kids About Sexual Abuse
How to Prevent Sexual Exploitation of Your Child
How to Fight Human Trafficking
Reclaiming Hope: Resources and Mentoring for Sex Trafficking Survivors
FBI Announces ‘Huge Takedown’ of Child Abusers in Texas, Rescue of 109 Children
DOJ Announces Rescue of 115 Children in ‘Operation Restore Justice’
Photo from Getty Images.
