KALAMAZOO, Mich. — On Tuesday, Michigan's Attorney General Dana Nessel held a press conference at the Kalamazoo YWCA where she announced charges against three people from Three Rivers for alleged human trafficking and forced labor of a now 33-year-old woman from India.
Ikbahl Singh Machhal, age 40, and his parents, Kartar Chand, 67, and Shila Devi, 66, are all facing one count of Human Trafficking – Forced Labor and one count of Human Trafficking Enterprise, as each count is a 10-year felony.
During the press conference, Nessel said that the survivor was brought to the U.S. under the auspice of marriage to Machhal, and in 2012, was forced to move from Pennsylvania to Michigan after her husband and his parents became owners of the Broadway Market in Three Rivers.
"Shortly after arriving in Michigan, the victim began working the convenience store, never receiving payment for her labor and working off the payroll books," said Nessel. "She was required to work eight to nine hours a day, seven days a week against her will and under threat of severe physical, mental and emotional abuse."
Nessel said that the survivor's husband and his parents subjected her to physical and emotional abuse, making her stand outside in the snow without shoes or a coat and deprived her of contact with her newborn child.
"The victim alleges she was not allowed a cell phone or to obtain a driver's license. Her movements and every aspect of her life were controlled by her husband and his parents. Her existence reduced to the function of the liquor store for which she saw no compensation, and she suffered greatly at the hands of those who did," said Nessel.
"This is what labor trafficking looks like."
The AG's Office said the survivor was able to leave the home in 2020 with the help of YWCA Kalamazoo and local law enforcement following domestic violence charges against her husband.
Nessel said that Three Rivers police officer Matt Kilbourn discovered the human trafficking taking place after speaking with the survivor and identifying signs of labor trafficking while visiting her.
Members of the YWCA Kalamazoo, Nessel, and law enforcement look to make it clear that human labor trafficking occurs in labor markets that people often do not suspect, such as convenience stores, farms, nail salons, restaurants and services within homes.
"Broadly speaking, victims may exhibit signs of abuse, including bruises, cuts, burns or scars. They may not be in control of their own money or documents, including their driver's license or passport. They might avoid eye contact with others, appear fearful of the person that they're with," said Nessel. "Another person might be answering all of the questions for them. They might not be from the area or even be aware of where they're at, and they might not admit that they are victims or asked for help."
Nessel asked people to call 911 if they suspect human trafficking or are approached by someone asking for help.
Other resources include the National Human Trafficking Resource Center 24-hour helpline at 233733 for text messaging and 888-373-7888 for calls.
The YWCA Kalamazoo Emergency Abuse Crisis Line can be reached at (269) 385-3587.
The Homeland Security Investigations Human Trafficking webpage also includes information for identifying the signs of human trafficking.
Machhal and Devi have been arrested by Three Rivers Police and Homeland Security Investigations on April 29, and are both on $1 million bonds.
Chand has not been arrested as he has fled to India.
Macchal and Devi will next appear in the 3B District Court in St. Joseph County on May 14th at 8:30 am for a probable cause conference.
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