This story proves that human trafficking is about much more than just sex: 3 Face Slavery Charges Involving Chinese Acrobats in Las Vegas.
Representatives of Child Protective Services and the Clark County Department of Family Services on Friday conducted a health and welfare check at the home, where they interviewed 14 residents, including five juveniles ages 14 to 17, according to a criminal complaint.
Victims said Li promised them $300 to $1,600 a month to perform with the China Star Acrobats, a team that traveled and performed at schools across the country.
"It's a cultural program," said Anthony Wright, Li's court-appointed defense attorney. "Chinese folks get to come over here and learn about America."
But the acrobats, prosecutors said, were forced to stay in Li's home, where up to six lived in each bedroom. Most had been brought to Las Vegas months ago.
They told authorities that they were fed minimal amounts of instant noodles, rice and vegetables twice a day. They said they sometimes had to perform twice a day, were awakened early and didn't get to go to sleep until very late.
According to the complaint, Li confiscated visas and passports and told them their phone calls to home would be monitored. One teen told authorities he feared for the safety of his family in China, and that he had witnessed Hu beat another performer during a personal dispute, according to the complaint.
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