Puneet Busanti / News Tribune (TNS)
A Vashon Island landscaping company owner was found guilty Tuesday in federal court of smuggling people across the U.S.-Mexico border and forcing them into slavery while living a life of luxury with his family.
U.S. District Judge James L. Robert sentenced Jesus Luis Hernandez, 45, to 20 years in prison on 21 felonies related to human trafficking and forced labor. He was convicted in January after a 13-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Seattle, according to a Justice Department news release.
“For years, Jesús Luis Hernandez lived a lie. He pretended to be an honest, hard-working owner of a successful landscaping business on Vashon Island, when in reality he was , Luis Hernandez was neither diligent nor law-abiding,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. release.
Luis Hernández, also known as Cristo Jesús Escobar Solares, lured his victims from his hometown of Vista Hermosa, Michoacán, Mexico, with promises of a better life. He asked the victim to post his family's property as collateral and temporarily relinquish parental rights, according to a previous News Tribune article.
Luis Hernandez put the victims to work for his company, Brothers Landscape. The company later changed its name to Brothers Landscape Vashon. According to court records, Luis Hernandez charged exorbitant fees for rent, food and other expenses. He housed them both in his home and on employee premises, while racking up ever-growing debts on their heads.
“The crimes committed here fooled Luis Hernández into believing he was legitimately supporting and pursuing the American Dream, when in reality he was subjecting workers to a life of subjugation. It will leave a scar on the victims and the entire community,” Special Agent Robert Hammer, who oversees Homeland Security investigative operations in the Pacific Northwest, said in the release.
Luis Hernandez forced one of his victims to work without pay and sexually abused her. According to the article, Luis Hernandez was found guilty of exploiting seven workers who were not legally in the United States.
During the trial, it was revealed that Luis Hernandez and his brother deposited more than $1.5 million in customer checks between 2017 and 2022, the article said. They allowed him to purchase two real estate parcels in Vashon. The property was confiscated by the government.
In a sentencing memorandum, Luis Hernandez's attorney said his client has no prior criminal record and recommended a sentence of 27 to 57 months in prison. Because the defendant is not a U.S. citizen, he would be deported to Mexico if released. Luis Hernandez's mother also supported him and said she believed he was “trying to help people,” the documents said.
During sentencing, Robert said that after observing Luis Hernandez throughout the trial, he felt there was a “total lack of respect for the truth,” according to the release.
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