Some were unaccompanied Guatemalan teens who were smuggled across the border, then forced to work long hours in filthy conditions at chicken farms, live in squalid trailers in Marion County, and have portions of their paychecks directed to the individuals who arranged the trips and jobs.
The company was paid about $6 million in 2013-14 as part of its contract, according to documents.
"This defendant profited off the desperation of children and their parents and other relatives," U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said in a news release. "He knew some of the workers he delivered to Trillium Farms were underage, in the country illegally and were threatened or coerced. We will continue to work to eliminate human trafficking in all its forms."
Trillium, which also has operations in Licking County, has reiterated that the company was unaware of the trafficking, immediately terminated the contract with Ramirez when the activities came to light, and cooperated in subsequent investigations.
http://www.morelaw.com/verdicts/case.asp?s=OH&d=119683