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Maui police arrested two men Monday on labor trafficking, extortion and document-related charges following the execution of search warrants at a Kihei residence.
Police said the investigation was conducted in coordination with the state Department of the Attorney General's Special Investigation and Prosecution Division and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
According to the state Department of the Attorney General, brothers Axel Camey Chajil, 35, and Brandon Camey Chajil, 31, were arraigned Tuesday on charges related to the alleged labor trafficking of a man from Guatemala.
A Maui grand jury indicted the brothers Friday on eight charges each, including four counts of first-degree labor trafficking, three counts of first-degree extortion and one count of unlawful conduct with respect to documents.
First-degree labor trafficking is a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. First-degree extortion is a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine, while unlawful conduct with respect to documents is a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
"Labor trafficking is a calculated crime that exploits vulnerable people for profit and is often deliberately concealed from law enforcement and the public. We will not allow traffickers to operate with impunity," Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said in an MPD news release.
"Our message is clear: If you exploit vulnerable members of our community, we will find you and hold you accountable," he added.
The cases are being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Leigh Okimoto of the Special Investigation and Prosecution Division.
The public can report suspected corruption, fraud, economic crime and human trafficking through the Special Investigation and Prosecution Division at ag.hawaii.gov/sipd/tips/.