Crime-iny
Meshael Alayban, Saudi Princess, Coached Her Kenyan Slave Through U.S. Customs: DA
See Update No. 3 on Page 2 with the charges, possible punishments and movement restrictions facing Meshael Alayban, as well as more details about her alleged crimes. Update No. 2 at the end of the next page confirms she is a Saudi Arabian princess held on $5 million bail. Update No. 1 on the next page is about prosecutors having sought no bail on grounds she's a flight risk.Categories: Crime-iny ORIGINAL POST, JULY 10, 12:58 P.M.: A 30-year-old Kenyan who flagged down a passing bus in Irvine and was assisted by a female passenger later ratted out a Saudi Arabian national who allegedly kept the distressed newcomer as a domestic slave.
Meshael Alayban, 42, was arrested Tuesday night at her condominium on Gramercy in Irvine on suspicion of human trafficking and held on $1 million bail. Jail records list Alayban's occupation as "princess."
The sad tale is related in a statement sent this morning from Irvine Police Lt. Julia Engen, the department spokesman. The woman was contracted through an agency in her home country of Kenya in March 2012 to work as a housekeeper with Alayban's family in Saudi Arabia. But once the unidentified worker arrived in the Middle East country, Alayban allegedly took her passport and employment contract.
The Kenyan would go on to work excessive hours and at a pay less than specified in the contract. But when she complained about her working conditions and asked for her passport back, Alayban is accused of refusing to comply.
This past May, Alayban and her family traveled to the U.S. with the Kenyan and four filipinas who'd been contracted as workers in a similar fashion. They all wound up in the Irvine condo until the Kenyan--carrying a suitcase and a pamphlet she picked up at the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia--flagged down that bus. The flier specified her rights and warned against becoming a victim of human trafficking.
The bus passenger helped the woman contact Irvine Police, who working with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) launched an investigation, according to Engen's statement. While Irvine detectives and HSI special agents executed a search warrant at the Gramercy condo, they discovered Alayban allegedly took away the travel documents from the women from the Philippines as well, Engen said. Detectives are working to recover the documents believed to be in a safe deposit box at a local bank.
All five women left with detectives voluntarily and each of their cases will be investigated, vowed Engen, who added they were found in good health, showed no signs of physical abuse and were being assisted with finding housing at a shelter. In the meantime, police are awaiting charges against Alayban coming from the Orange County District Attorney's office, possibly by later this afternoon.
Meshael Alayban booking photo
UPDATE NO. 1, JULY 10, 2:33 P.M.: Representatives of the Orange County District Attorney's office are arguing at a bail hearing right now that Meshael Alayban should be held without bail because she allegedly poses a flight risk.
More is expected to be revealed at a media briefing shortly.
UPDATE NO. 2, JULY 10, 3:55 P.M.: Bail was set at $5 million this afternoon for Meshael Alayban, who was also ordered to wear a GPS tracking device to the bail-setting hearing. She is to return to Santa Ana court for arraignment Thursday.
District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, who appeared in court for the prosecution, told reporters that he wanted to let victims of "indentured servitude" know they will have support if they seek help from law enforcement, according to City News Service.
Some victims from foreign countries brought to the country as slaves may not realize it is illegal, explained Rackauckas, adding, "I would like it to be known we intend to enforce that law."
He confirmed Alayban is a Saudi Arabian princess.
There are about 5,000 princes and princesses in the Middle Eastern country.
More charges may be coming if it is determined the women from the Philippines were also victims of human trafficking, the DA noted.
UPDATE NO. 3, JULY 10, 4:49 P.M.: Alayban is one of the wives of Saudi Arabian Prince Abdulrahman bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz al Saud, according to a statement from the Orange County District Attorney's office (OCDA) that indicates she is to be arraigned Thursday morning in Santa Ana on a felony count of human trafficking that could send her to state prison for 12 years with a conviction.
The OCDA is prosecuting the Saudi national under California's Proposition 35, the anti-human slavery initiative voters approved in November. Despite having sought no bail for Alayban, the OCDA notes that if she posts the $5 million bail she must surrender her passport, not travel outside of Orange County without approval from the court and wear a GPS tracking device at all times.
"The laws of our nation and California do not tolerate people who deprive or violate the liberty of another and obtain forced labor or services," District Attorney Tony Rackauckas says in the statement. "If any person is being enslaved, he or she should contact law enforcement. Any victim of human trafficking will receive the benefit and protection of the laws of the United States and California."
"We are gratified to have been able to help this victim find her freedom," Irvine Police Chief David L. Maggard Jr. is also quoted as saying in the statement, which includes this from Claude Arnold, special agent in charge for HSI Los Angeles: "In this country, it is not only unacceptable to hold people against their will, it is criminal. This case should serve as an example to human trafficking victims that they can come to authorities without fear, so we can provide them with protection and bring those responsible to justice."
Other items of interest from the OCDA release:
* The 30-year-old victim from Kenya needed work to pay for her young daughter's medical care.
* Her two-year contract with an employment agency guaranteed that she would be paid $1,600 a month to work eight hours a day, five days a week. The contract also stated that she would be paid more after three months of employment and could alternately return home after three months if she was dissatisfied with her employment.
* Alayban hired the Kenyan to work in Saudi Arabia to cook, clean, iron, do laundry and other household chores in the palace. She is accused of making the victim work 16 hours a day and seven days a week without a day off and paying only $220 a month. She is accused of taking away the victim's passport and refusing to allow the victim to return to Kenya.
* While bringing the woman to the U.S. this past May 6, Alayban allegedly instructed her to lie about her working conditions to the United States Embassy, telling officials she worked within the hours and pay stipulated in the contract.
* Alayban allegedly gave the Kenyan her passport as she passed through customs at Los Angeles International Airport and then took it back after they were clear.
* The Kenyan was forced to tend to at least eight people in four apartments in the same Irvine complex, washing dishes, cooking, cleaning two apartments and doing the laundry and ironing. Alayban allegedly paid her only $220 a month to work long hours with no days off or breaks.
* The Kenyan was only allowed outside to carry the family's bags.
Alayban was arrested at her Irvine apartment at approximately 12:20 a.m. this morning. The investigation is ongoing on the local and national level, with even the State Department pitching in. The other female workers discovered at the Irvine residence may also be victims, the DA claims.
Anyone with additional information or who thinks they have been a victim is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Mike Munn at 714.347.8560 or Irive Police Detective Victoria Hurtado at 949.724.7000.
Email: mcoker@ocweekly.com. Twitter: @MatthewTCoker. Follow OC Weekly on Twitter @ocweekly or on Facebook!
http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2013/07/meshael_alayban_human_traffick.php
See Update No. 3 on Page 2 with the charges, possible punishments and movement restrictions facing Meshael Alayban, as well as more details about her alleged crimes. Update No. 2 at the end of the next page confirms she is a Saudi Arabian princess held on $5 million bail. Update No. 1 on the next page is about prosecutors having sought no bail on grounds she's a flight risk.Categories: Crime-iny
Meshael Alayban, 42, was arrested Tuesday night at her condominium on Gramercy in Irvine on suspicion of human trafficking and held on $1 million bail. Jail records list Alayban's occupation as "princess."
The sad tale is related in a statement sent this morning from Irvine Police Lt. Julia Engen, the department spokesman. The woman was contracted through an agency in her home country of Kenya in March 2012 to work as a housekeeper with Alayban's family in Saudi Arabia. But once the unidentified worker arrived in the Middle East country, Alayban allegedly took her passport and employment contract.
The Kenyan would go on to work excessive hours and at a pay less than specified in the contract. But when she complained about her working conditions and asked for her passport back, Alayban is accused of refusing to comply.
This past May, Alayban and her family traveled to the U.S. with the Kenyan and four filipinas who'd been contracted as workers in a similar fashion. They all wound up in the Irvine condo until the Kenyan--carrying a suitcase and a pamphlet she picked up at the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia--flagged down that bus. The flier specified her rights and warned against becoming a victim of human trafficking.
The bus passenger helped the woman contact Irvine Police, who working with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) launched an investigation, according to Engen's statement. While Irvine detectives and HSI special agents executed a search warrant at the Gramercy condo, they discovered Alayban allegedly took away the travel documents from the women from the Philippines as well, Engen said. Detectives are working to recover the documents believed to be in a safe deposit box at a local bank.
All five women left with detectives voluntarily and each of their cases will be investigated, vowed Engen, who added they were found in good health, showed no signs of physical abuse and were being assisted with finding housing at a shelter. In the meantime, police are awaiting charges against Alayban coming from the Orange County District Attorney's office, possibly by later this afternoon.
|
| Meshael Alayban booking photo |
UPDATE NO. 1, JULY 10, 2:33 P.M.: Representatives of the Orange County District Attorney's office are arguing at a bail hearing right now that Meshael Alayban should be held without bail because she allegedly poses a flight risk.
More is expected to be revealed at a media briefing shortly.
UPDATE NO. 2, JULY 10, 3:55 P.M.: Bail was set at $5 million this afternoon for Meshael Alayban, who was also ordered to wear a GPS tracking device to the bail-setting hearing. She is to return to Santa Ana court for arraignment Thursday.
District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, who appeared in court for the prosecution, told reporters that he wanted to let victims of "indentured servitude" know they will have support if they seek help from law enforcement, according to City News Service.
Some victims from foreign countries brought to the country as slaves may not realize it is illegal, explained Rackauckas, adding, "I would like it to be known we intend to enforce that law."
He confirmed Alayban is a Saudi Arabian princess.
There are about 5,000 princes and princesses in the Middle Eastern country.
More charges may be coming if it is determined the women from the Philippines were also victims of human trafficking, the DA noted.
UPDATE NO. 3, JULY 10, 4:49 P.M.: Alayban is one of the wives of Saudi Arabian Prince Abdulrahman bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz al Saud, according to a statement from the Orange County District Attorney's office (OCDA) that indicates she is to be arraigned Thursday morning in Santa Ana on a felony count of human trafficking that could send her to state prison for 12 years with a conviction.
The OCDA is prosecuting the Saudi national under California's Proposition 35, the anti-human slavery initiative voters approved in November. Despite having sought no bail for Alayban, the OCDA notes that if she posts the $5 million bail she must surrender her passport, not travel outside of Orange County without approval from the court and wear a GPS tracking device at all times.
"The laws of our nation and California do not tolerate people who deprive or violate the liberty of another and obtain forced labor or services," District Attorney Tony Rackauckas says in the statement. "If any person is being enslaved, he or she should contact law enforcement. Any victim of human trafficking will receive the benefit and protection of the laws of the United States and California."
"We are gratified to have been able to help this victim find her freedom," Irvine Police Chief David L. Maggard Jr. is also quoted as saying in the statement, which includes this from Claude Arnold, special agent in charge for HSI Los Angeles: "In this country, it is not only unacceptable to hold people against their will, it is criminal. This case should serve as an example to human trafficking victims that they can come to authorities without fear, so we can provide them with protection and bring those responsible to justice."
Other items of interest from the OCDA release:
* The 30-year-old victim from Kenya needed work to pay for her young daughter's medical care.
* Her two-year contract with an employment agency guaranteed that she would be paid $1,600 a month to work eight hours a day, five days a week. The contract also stated that she would be paid more after three months of employment and could alternately return home after three months if she was dissatisfied with her employment.
* Alayban hired the Kenyan to work in Saudi Arabia to cook, clean, iron, do laundry and other household chores in the palace. She is accused of making the victim work 16 hours a day and seven days a week without a day off and paying only $220 a month. She is accused of taking away the victim's passport and refusing to allow the victim to return to Kenya.
* While bringing the woman to the U.S. this past May 6, Alayban allegedly instructed her to lie about her working conditions to the United States Embassy, telling officials she worked within the hours and pay stipulated in the contract.
* Alayban allegedly gave the Kenyan her passport as she passed through customs at Los Angeles International Airport and then took it back after they were clear.
* The Kenyan was forced to tend to at least eight people in four apartments in the same Irvine complex, washing dishes, cooking, cleaning two apartments and doing the laundry and ironing. Alayban allegedly paid her only $220 a month to work long hours with no days off or breaks.
* The Kenyan was only allowed outside to carry the family's bags.
Alayban was arrested at her Irvine apartment at approximately 12:20 a.m. this morning. The investigation is ongoing on the local and national level, with even the State Department pitching in. The other female workers discovered at the Irvine residence may also be victims, the DA claims.
Anyone with additional information or who thinks they have been a victim is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Mike Munn at 714.347.8560 or Irive Police Detective Victoria Hurtado at 949.724.7000.
Email: mcoker@ocweekly.com. Twitter: @MatthewTCoker. Follow OC Weekly on Twitter @ocweekly or on Facebook!
http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2013/07/meshael_alayban_human_traffick.php
Saudi princess arrested in human trafficking case
http://news.yahoo.com/saudi-princess-arrested-human-trafficking-case-231607034.html
Meshael Alayban, Saudi Princess, Coached Her Kenyan Slave ...OC Weekly (blog)-by -6 hours ago Meshael Alayban, 42, was arrested Tuesday night at her condominium on Gramercy in Irvine on ... All five women left with detectives voluntarily and each of their cases will be ... He confirmed Alayban is a Saudi Arabian princess.... from the Philippines were also victims of human trafficking, the DA noted. |
OC prosecutors charge Saudi Arabian princess with human trafficking
Orange County District Attorney's Office
Meshael Alayban was booked on charges of human trafficking in Irvine, Calif. She is the wife of a Saudi prince, according to the D.A.'s office.
http://www.scpr.org/news/2013/07/10/38131/oc-prosecutors-charge-saudi-arabian-princess-with/
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Saudi Princess Arrested in Human-Trafficking Case
Wall Street Journal- India-2 hours agoA woman identified as a Saudi Arabian princess was arrested Wednesday after police alleged she forced a Kenyan woman to work as a ... Saudi princess arrested in California human traffickinginvestigation
Washington Post-5 hours agoA Saudi princess was charged Wednesday with human trafficking for ... a bail hearing Wednesday afternoon, likening the case to slavery.Saudi princess arrested in human trafficking case - ABC-7.com ...
WZVN-TV-7 hours agoGov. Pat Quinn moved to halt Illinois lawmakers' pay Wednesday, following through on his warning of consequences if they failed to come up ...Saudi princess arrested in California in human traffickinginvestigation
CTV News-6 hours agoA Saudi princess has been charged with human trafficking for ... Her attorney, Paul Meyer, said the case was a contractual dispute and argued ...Saudi princess staying at condo, arrested for huma
Zee News-2 hours agoSanta Ana (California): In a bizarre case, a Saudi princess has beenarrested on the charge of human trafficking for forcibly keeping her Kenyan ...Saudi Princess Meshael Alayban Charged with Human Trafficking
The Epoch Times-6 hours agoA Saudi princess was charged Wednesday with human trafficking for ...Alayban was arrested after a Kenyan woman carrying a suitcase flagged down a ... Her attorney, Paul Meyer, said the case was a contractual dispute and ...Saudi woman arrested in human trafficking case
The San Luis Obispo Tribune-8 hours agoSaudi woman arrested in human trafficking case ... Her occupation is listed as "princess" on the Orange County Sheriff's Department's inmate ...Saudi woman arrested in human trafficking case - KMPH FOX 26 ...
KMPH Fox 26-9 hours ago(AP) - A woman from Saudi Arabia has been arrested in California on ... Her occupation is listed as "princess" on the Orange County Sheriff's ...
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