Cornhusker State News

Five individuals have been charged with federal crimes following an investigation into alleged human trafficking activities at multiple hotels in Nebraska. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska announced that the charges include conspiracy to engage in labor trafficking, sex trafficking, harboring of undocumented immigrants, and other related offenses.

The defendants—Kentakumar Chaudhari (also known as Ken Chaudhari), Rashmi Ajit Samani (also known as Falguni Samani), Amit Prahladbhai Chaudhari (Amit), Amit Babubhai Chaudhari (Matt), and Maheshkumar Chaudhari (Mahesh)—were arrested on August 12, 2025. They are associated with several hotels across the Omaha area, including the AmericInn at 2920 S 13 Ct., The Inn at 9305 S 145th St., The New Victorian at 10728 L St., and Roadway Inn at 1110 Fort Crook Rd S in Bellevue.

Federal search warrants were executed early in the morning at these hotel locations as well as other business premises and residential sites connected to the defendants. Fourteen businesses and two residences were searched. Alongside hotels, “Brow and Lash” salons in Westroads Mall and other parts of Omaha were also targeted.

During these operations, law enforcement officers rescued ten minors who had allegedly been forced to work under exploitative conditions for long hours with little or no pay. Seventeen adults were also rescued from similar circumstances. According to court documents, victims had to pay for lodging in unsanitary conditions described by witnesses as unclean and unsafe; one government source reported seeing immigrant victims sleeping on floors infested with cockroaches.

In addition to labor trafficking allegations, prosecutors allege that some defendants operated a sex trafficking scheme involving both minors and adults at their hotels. Complaint affidavits state that sex trafficking was not only permitted but encouraged by hotel management, who protected perpetrators from detection while further victimizing those involved.

The investigation also uncovered evidence suggesting that some hotel owners allowed drug traffickers to operate openly on their properties. Drug overdoses reportedly occurred frequently enough that Narcan was kept on hand at one location; eyewitnesses described visible drug use around hotel premises.

One defendant is accused of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme to obtain U visas—intended for crime victims who assist law enforcement—by staging a fake robbery so another defendant could falsely claim victim status. Additional allegations involve arranging illegal entry into the United States for workers destined for employment at these hotels and facilitating fraudulent acquisition of Washington state driver’s licenses.

Authorities seized more than $565,000 in cash believed linked to money laundering during the operation. A notice has been filed against the implicated hotel properties to prevent their sale or transfer during ongoing legal proceedings, while assets allegedly acquired illegally are being recovered by the U.S. Marshals Service. Illicit drugs confiscated during searches are still being quantified.

Community members played a role by reporting suspected child labor and sex trafficking through Human Trafficking Hotlines. Law enforcement urges anyone with further information about crimes tied to these locations or similar activities elsewhere in Nebraska to contact the Omaha FBI field office.

United States Attorney Lesley Woods commented: “There is no evil greater than the evil that seeks to trap, oppress, and exploit human beings for profit or pleasure.  Where that evil exists, Nebraska law enforcement working together at the federal, state, and local levels, as occurred in this case, will seek it, find it, root it out, and ensure every rescued victim has an opportunity to obtain justice and freedom from their captors.”

Woods acknowledged cooperation among multiple agencies: “When so many law enforcement agencies come together as one team, united in their relentless pursuit of justice, there is no organized crime network operating within Nebraska’s borders that can escape identification and accountability.”

Special Agent Eugene Kowel of the Omaha FBI Field Office said: “Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. This investigation revealed victims right here in the heart of the heartland forced into sexual activity, living and working in dangerous and filthy conditions, and extorted to work in grueling jobs with little to no pay. We will always stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners to aggressively identify and apprehend perpetrators of human trafficking... Our approach...is always centered on the victims.”

Mark Zito from ICE HSI Kansas City added: “There is nothing more reprehensible than exploiting human beings...for sex [or] abusive labor conditions or deliberately violating U.S. immigration laws... These criminals hide in the shadows...but HSI and our federal partners have no intention of stopping until these predators are brought to justice.”

Federal officials continue their investigation while urging public assistance via established hotlines.