Day care owners charged with human trafficking, labor exploitation

SACRAMENTO (KRON)- – Four family members —who owned and operated daycare centers and adult residential facilities around the Bay Area —were charged with human trafficking, rape, and labor exploitation, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced Friday.

The defendants— Joshua, 42; Noel, 40; Gerlen, 38; and Carlina Gamos, 67 —operated Rainbow Bright, a child care facility out of Daly City. 

They allegedly targeted members of the Filipino community, many of whom were new to the United States, for labor exploitation.

While serving the arrest warrants, FBI agents also seized 14 illegal assault weapons.

Of the 14 assault weapons, three were “ghost gun” rifles without serial numbers. Ghost guns allow individuals to bypass background checks and registration regulations.

“No worker in the United States should live in fear or be subjected to violence, abuse or exploitation at the hands of their employer,” said Attorney General Becerra. “The charges against the Gamos family members are despicable. We must not turn a blind eye to abusive labor practices. Report it, and we will investigate and prosecute.”

According to the complaint, Rainbow Bright employees were forced to work nearly 24 hours a day, slept on floors and in garages, and were locked outside in the rain when the owners were not home.

Investigators found that Rainbow Bright executives deterred the employees from leaving the dismal working conditions by regularly threatening to turn the employees over to U.S. immigration officials and by confiscating some employees’ passports.