THREE PEOPLE PLEAD GUILTY FOR THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN A FORCED LABOR TRAFFICKING, MARRIAGE FRAUD AND FORCED LABOR ORGANIZATION

Three people charged in December 2008 for their involvement in a forced labor organization pleaded guilty today. Lynda Dieu Phan, age 39; Duc Cao Nguyen, age 41, both of New Cumberland, Pennsylvania; and Justin Phan, age 36, of Tennessee pleaded guilty before United States District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo today. Lynda Dieu Phan pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy to commit forced labor trafficking, forced labor, and marriage fraud. Both Duc Cao Nguyen and Justin Phan pleaded guilty to marriage fraud.

According to Dennis Pfannenschmidt, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and Andrew M. McLees, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Homeland Security–Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Investigations in Philadelphia, beginning sometime in 2000 until August 2008, Lynda Dieu Phan, Duc Cao Nguyen, and Justin Phan, conspired that Lynda Dieu Phan travel to Vietnam to recruit victims to work in her nail salons located in the York area. Fraudulent marriages were arranged so the victims could gain entry into the United States. Upon entry, the victims were forced to work at Lynda Dieu Phan’s nail salons.

The defendants could be sentenced to up to a maximum of five years’ imprisonment; a $250,000 fine and up to three years supervised release. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christy H. Fawcett.

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