Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced that a grand jury has indicted several members of a Clarkstown family on labor trafficking and other charges for allegedly using intimidation, threats and physical violence to force a 20‐year‐old woman into a life of servitude and sexual abuse.

Charged are:

Aman Jagota (DOB 06/03/49) of 28 Butternut Drive, New City, New York
Parveen Jagota (DOB 01/04/54) of 28 Butternut Drive, New City, New York
Vishal Jagota (DOB 01/16/78) of 28 Butternut Drive, New City, New York
Rajani Jagota (DOB 12/03/80) of 28 Butternut Drive, New City, New York

Each of the defendants is charged with:

• Three counts of Labor Trafficking in the Second Degree, class “D” Felonies
• One count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class “A” Misdemeanor

Aman Jagota is additionally charged with:
• Fifty counts of Forcible Touching, class “A” Misdemeanors Vishal Jagota is additionally charged with:
• One count of Assault in the Third Degree, a class “A” Misdemeanor

Parveen Jagota and Rajani Jagota are additionally charged with:
• One count of Assault in the Second Degree, a class “D” Felony

The victim, now 22‐years‐old, is an Indian citizen who was brought to the United States through an arranged marriage with Vishal Jagota in January, 2008.

It is alleged that the defendants engaged in a scheme, using intimidation, physical and sexual abuse and manipulation to force the victim to work as a round‐the‐clock servant, performing a variety of household chores, cooking, child care and other tasks under threats of violence and other threats.

It is further alleged that when the victim threatened to contact authorities, the defendants vowed to concoct wild stories, accusing her of committing various types of crime.

Said District Attorney Zugibe, “Victims in forced labor cases are vulnerable targets who are promised stable lives, but end up in abusive situations and deplorable conditions. This office will continue its commitment to rescue victims of this form of modern‐day slavery and vigorously prosecute the individuals who exploit them.”

According to the charges, Aman Jagota regularly groped and fondled the victim, and otherwise sexually assaulted her. On one occasion, Parveen Jagota and Rajani Jagota allegedly burned the victims’ hand with a hot iron.

On another occasion, Vishal Jagota is accused of biting the victim, causing scarring on her cheek.

The victim was forced to face her captors for nearly three years, from her arrival in Rockland County in 2008, until September, 2010.

The defendants were arraigned this morning before the Honorable William K. Nelson and the matter has been adjourned to March 29, 2011 for conference.

Labor Trafficking carries up to seven years in state prison.

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