October 16, 2008
FIVE INDICTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ENSLAVEMENT OF AFGHANI JUVENILE
14-Year-Old Girl Abused and Molested after Family Brought Girl to USA from Afghanistan
Five people were arrested Wednesday morning on an indictment charging them with Conspiracy to Engage in Forced Labor. Two of the defendants were also charged with Visa Fraud. Four of the five are related by blood or marriage, though none of the defendants are related to the juvenile who was victimized. According to the indictment, MOHAMMAD YOUSUF, 84, and NASIMA YOUSUF, 70, of Federal Way, Washington, lied on immigration applications to bring the juvenile into the U.S. claiming that the girl was NASIMA YOUSUF’s daughter. Once in the U.S. the girl was forced to do household labor for NAHID YOUSUFI, 29, and MARUF YOUSUFI, 42, of Auburn, Washington and their family friend MOHAMMAD ATAHEE, 37, of Federal Way, Washington. ATAHEE allegedly beat and sexually assaulted the girl while she was forced to live with him.
According to the indictment returned by the grand jury last week, the conspirators arranged for ATAHEE to be married to the juvenile in Afghanistan when she was just 13-years-old and he was 33-years-old. MOHAMMAD YOUSUF, and NASIMA YOUSUF, filled out immigration forms claiming that the juvenile was NASIMA YOUSUF’s biological daughter and was the step daughter of MOHAMMAD YOUSUF. Once in the U.S., in the summer of 2006, the juvenile was forced to live with ATAHEE and perform all household tasks. She first reported an assault by ATAHEE in August 2006, but NAHID YOUSUFI directed the juvenile to recant the report, and then sent the juvenile back to live with ATAHEE. The indictment also alleges she was forced to provide cooking, cleaning and childcare three days a week to NAHID YOUSUFI, and MARUF YOUSUFI. For a time she was not allowed to attend school. A district court judge in King County also refused to allow MOHAMMAD ATAHEE to marry the juvenile in the United States. The juvenile was also beaten and sexually assaulted. The indictment further alleges that in January 2008, the juvenile was sexually assaulted by MOHAMMAD ATAHEE. With the support of good samaritans, the sexual assault was reported to the police. Since that time she has been residing in a safe location.
All five defendants made their initial appearances in federal court. Trial is set for December 23, 2008. If convicted of the conspiracy charge the defendants face up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. If convicted of Visa Fraud, the YOUSUFs face up to ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Seattle Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys
Ye-Ting Woo and Patricia Lally.
For additional information please call Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office at (206) 553-4110.
