St. Charles County human trafficking suspects now face federal charges

Kevin S. Held
·2 min read
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ST. LOUIS – Three men already facing human trafficking charges in St. Charles County now face federal charges tied to the same forced labor investigation. One of the suspect’s wives was also indicted.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Venkatesh R. Sattaru, Sravan Penumetcha, Nikhil V. Penmatsa, and Nitya Sattaru, are accused of kidnapping, torturing, and abusing one of the suspect’s relatives from India, as well as using the 20-year-old victim as forced labor.

St. Charles County law enforcement said the victim is an Indian national who came to the United States on a student visa with intentions to attend college at Missouri S&T.

The victim was reportedly forced to work several hours unpaid and complete various chores. The victim completed work for one of the suspect’s IT companies. On several occasions, the suspects beat the victim when tasks were not completed to their standards.

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Per county court documents, authorities learned of these allegations during a wellness check in Defiance, Missouri, in November 2023. Investigators said the victim came out the front door pleading for help and had suffered multiple scars and bruises.

Nitya Sattaru appeared in U.S. District Court on Monday and pleaded not guilty. Venkatesh Sattaru, Penumetcha, and Penmatsa are due in federal court on Wednesday.

Venkatesk, Penumetcha, and Penmatsa each face one charge of forced labor. Venkatesk and Nitya, who are married, each face one count of conspiracy to commit theft of government funds and 47 counts of theft of government funds.

Prosecutors claim the Sattarus filed a false claim alleging Venkatesk, a U.S. Army veteran, was unable to take care of himself and needed help walking, bathing, getting dressed, using the restroom, and getting around. As a result, the Sattarus received more than $83,000 in federal assistance.

If you suspect someone may be the victim of human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text INFO to 233733. More resources are available through the online human trafficking hotline.

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