Show-Me State Times

Four St. Charles County, Missouri residents have been indicted on charges of forced labor, labor trafficking, and theft of government funds, as reported in a recent article. According to the indictment, Venkatesh Sattaru, Nikhil Penmatsa, Sravan Penumetcha, and Nitya Sattaru are facing serious allegations.

Venkatesh Sattaru, Penmatsa, and Penumetcha are accused of obtaining the labor and services of an Indian national through force and threats of force. The indictment states that Venkatesh Sattaru also faces a charge of labor trafficking.

Venkatesh Sattaru and Nitya Sattaru, who are married, are facing charges related to the theft of government funds. They allegedly defrauded the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers by falsely claiming that Venkatesh Sattaru, a U.S. Army veteran, needed extensive care. This led to fraudulent monthly payments totaling $83,776.

"Nitya Sattaru pleaded not guilty Monday," the article states. Venkatesh Sattaru, Penmatsa, and Penumetcha are scheduled to appear in court for their arraignments and detention hearings.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and the St. Charles County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Edwards is prosecuting the case.

The article concludes with a reminder that the charges in the indictment are accusations and that every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. It also emphasizes the importance of preventing and deterring human trafficking, providing a hotline for victims to seek help.