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Indian-origin motel manager sentenced for trafficking in US
Tiwari consistently subjected the victim to unwarranted "evictions" from her motel room, occasionally even locking her out without notice during the night.
Representative image / Image - Unsplash
A motel manager in Georgia has been sentenced to 57 months in prison for victim trafficking related to slavery, peonage, involuntary servitude, and forced labor. The manager is also required to pay a total of $42,648 in restitution to seven different people.
Shreesh Tiwari, a 71-year-old Indian national and legal permanent resident of the United States, took over management of the Budgetel Motel in Cartersville, Georgia, in 2020, according to legal documents. Tiwari hired the victim as a maid at the motel shortly after taking over, offering her a living space on the premises.
Aware of the victim's prior struggles with homelessness, heroin addiction, and the loss of custody of her child before arriving at the motel, Tiwari made assurances to help her regain custody. He pledged to provide her with wages, an apartment, and legal representation.
Rather than honoring his commitments, Tiwari observed the victim's interactions with motel guests and staff, prohibiting her from engaging with them. When displeased with the victim, he threatened to expel her from the motel-provided room, fully aware that such eviction would render her homeless.
Over time, Tiwari consistently subjected the victim to unwarranted "evictions" from her motel room, occasionally even locking her out without notice during the night. Ultimately, he compelled the victim to engage in sexual acts with him as a condition for staying at the motel. Failure to comply with this demand resulted in Tiwari expelling her from the property, leaving her homeless.
“Tiwari preyed upon the victim’s difficult past and fear of homelessness to control and extort her, subjecting her to unspeakable horrors,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Atlanta. “HSI Atlanta and our law enforcement partners will continue our efforts to ensure that predators like Mr. Tiwari will be held accountable for their actions.”
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