Man arrested for smuggling teen from Guatemala

Reporter Rachel Loyd

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. — Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Mario Cahuec Cha Friday for allegedly taking an 18-year-old man from his hometown in Guatemala, sneaking him into the U.S, and then forcing him to hand over all of his hard-earned money at work.

Police said the suspect allegedly threw the victim into a trunk and snuck him into Bonita Springs after he promised him a job opportunity.

FDLE said Cahuec Cha and the teen stayed at his Bonita Spings home on New York street. They said he allegedly beat and threatened the victim on a regular basis.

FDLE said a tip ultimately led to the arrest of Cahuec Cha. Linda Oberhaus with The Shelter for Abused Women & Children said if you’re suspicious that someone could be a victim of trafficking, report it to police, but be careful.

“Traffickers, they see these victims as their property. Where they’re making lots of money for them. And they don’t want anyone to stand between them and they’re property,” she said.

If you know anyone who may be a victim of human trafficking, you can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.