A trucker from Florida has been charged with human trafficking in Berks County, Pennsylvania, after a Nicaraguan couple claimed they were being held against their will. The couple, who are in the U.S. illegally, alleged they were forced to drive the man's semi-truck without pay for weeks as part of a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) training program.
The couple called 911, stating they'd been kidnapped, had no money, and hadn't been allowed to bathe for weeks. West Reading police located the semi-truck near Bern Township and pulled over William Gutierrez of Doral, Florida. Gutierrez is now facing multiple counts of human trafficking and is being held in the Berks County jail in lieu of bail.
The couple was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials but has since been released on their own recognizance. The victims, who described their relationship as husband and wife, said they knew Gutierrez from their hometown in Nicaragua and were recruited by him for a supposed CDL training program after coming to the U.S. and working in Massachusetts as a roofer.
The arrest came after a 911 call was made from the truck as it was northbound on Route 222. The truck was located and pulled over on Route 222 just south of the Route 183 interchange in Bern. Gutierrez was removed from the truck and taken to the police station for interviews.
This case highlights the ongoing issue of human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. It serves as a reminder for the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.