Hancock Park couple accused in human trafficking case
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A Hancock Park couple was indicted Friday on human trafficking charges. The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office alleges the two imported women from Indonesia to work at their properties, according to a news release.
Astati Halim, 55, and, Hendra Anwar, 61, were charged with three counts each of human trafficking and one count each of conspiracy to commit a crime, according to the release. The couple pleaded not guilty.
The pair is accused of bringing three women into the U.S. between May 2010 and September 2013 under false pretenses and misrepresenting facts to embassy officials “for the purpose of obtaining travel documents for the victims,” the release said.
When the women arrived in Los Angeles, the couple allegedly took their passports and forced them to work in two of their homes and another property in Beverly Hills, authorities said.
The type of work was not specified.
Bail was set at $300,000 for each.
If convicted, they each face up to 17 years in state prison, according to the release.
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