California man jailed for exploiting teenager in online clothing business

A California man has been sentenced to five years in prison for exploiting a 14-year-old boy as unpaid labour for his online second-hand clothing business. The case highlights how promises of help were used to lure a child into labour trafficking, while separating him from his family.

Prosecutors said Brandon Holguin, 27, met the boy at a thrift shop and later took him to a motel, where he gave him Adderall and made him prepare hundreds of clothing items through the night. After the boy became ill, Holguin left him by a Los Angeles freeway; the teenager reached a nearby location where people called 999, and he was reunited with his family. Holguin pleaded no contest to three felony counts and was ordered to pay $4,300 in restitution.