A 26-year-old Hawaii island woman was indicted Aug. 27 on nine counts of first-degree labor trafficking of children, the Department of the Attorney General announced last week.

Ludin Yorleny Pena Miranda is accused of forcing minors to engage in labor or services.

Hawaii County police arrested Miranda on Tuesday.

The case is being prosecuted in Third Circuit Court.

Labor trafficking in the first degree is a Class A felony punishable by 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.

“Labor trafficking targets the most vulnerable people within our communities, including minors,” Attorney General Anne Lopez said in a written statement. “My office stands ready to work with our federal, state and county partners to investigate and prosecute human trafficking in any form.”

See Full Page