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Rafael Juan Mitjans, a 50-year-old man in Las Vegas, Nevada, faces serious federal charges for allegedly subjecting three Cuban immigrants to domestic servitude and committing multiple offenses related to immigration and human trafficking.
Mitjans appeared last week before federal magistrate Brenda N. Weksler, accused of having orchestrated a forced labor scheme that, according to the prosecution, lasted for more than 10 months.
According to the press release from the United States Department of Justice, between September 20, 2023, and July 31, 2024, Mitjans withheld the passports, immigration documents, and other official identifications of three Cuban victims.
According to the authorities, their intention was clear: to restrict the freedom of movement of these individuals in order to compel them to perform domestic work under conditions of servitude.
"The accusation states that Mitjans deliberately restricted the victims' ability to move and travel, thereby ensuring he maintained control over them and guaranteeing they continued to provide their labor services", it is detailed in the court document.
False promises and deception towards immigration authorities
The investigations revealed that, in addition to the physical and documentary restrictions imposed on the victims, Mitjans would have made false statements before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Between June and September 2023, he stated that he would take responsibility for providing the victims with a series of basic necessities.
In his statements to USCIS, Mitjans indicated that he would provide the victims "monthly money, a room with a bed, television, desk, and laptop, clothing, shoes, hygiene products, and three meals a day."
However, the prosecution maintains that Mitjans was fully aware that such promises were false and that he never intended to fulfill those conditions.
Federal charges and trial
On March 12, 2025, a federal grand jury issued a formal indictment against Mitjans, charging him with multiple serious offenses.
Specifically, he faces three charges of forced labor, three charges of unlawful conduct with documents to facilitate human trafficking and forced labor, as well as three additional charges of false statements in immigration documents.
Mitjans must appear again on May 19, 2025, when a jury trial will take place before U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware II.
If found guilty, he could face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison for each charge.
Without additional details about the victims
So far, the authorities have not disclosed additional details about the identity of the Cuban victims or the specific conditions to which they were subjected during their period of servitude.
The prosecutor's office has maintained the confidentiality of sensitive information to protect the individuals involved.
The nationality of the accused's origin has not been disclosed either.
Joint investigation and collaboration of federal agencies
The case is the result of a joint investigation led by the Department of Homeland Security (HSI) in Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police.
The investigations were also supported by the Clark County School District Police Department, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Office of the Inspector General, and the Diplomatic Security Service.
Interim federal prosecutor Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and interim special agent Lester R. Hayes, Jr., in charge of HSI Las Vegas, announced the details of the case in an official statement.
The accusation is part of the ongoing efforts of U.S. authorities to combat human trafficking and protect the victims of these crimes.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Case of Servitude and the Trafficking of Cuban Immigrants in Las Vegas
Who is Rafael Juan Mitjans and what is he accused of?
Rafael Juan Mitjans is a 50-year-old man residing in Las Vegas, Nevada, accused of subjecting three Cuban immigrants to domestic servitude and multiple offenses related to immigration and human trafficking. According to authorities, he retained the victims' official documents to restrict their freedom and force them to perform domestic work.
What charges is Mitjans facing and what penalty could he receive?
Mitjans faces three charges of forced labor, three for unlawful conduct with documents to facilitate human trafficking, and three for false statements in immigration documents. If found guilty, he could face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison for each charge.
What measures are U.S. authorities taking against human trafficking?
The U.S. authorities, such as the Department of Homeland Security and the Metropolitan Police of Las Vegas, are conducting joint investigations to combat human trafficking. The Mitjans case is part of ongoing efforts to protect victims of these crimes and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
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