Investigators from the FBI and Homeland Security are among several law enforcement agencies who conducted operations Tuesday morning at multiple Omaha-area sites as part of a sex and labor trafficking investigation, leading to five arrests.
Federal and local law enforcement agencies, incuding the Nebraska State Patrol are present at a hotel located 1110 Fort Crook Rd South in Bellevue, Neb. on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.
Here's what else we know so far:
What arrests have been made?
Five people were arrested on suspicion of labor and sex trafficking crimes at four hotels along with being accused of money laundering, committing fraud and misusing visas.
Kentakumar Chaudhari, 36,Rashmi Ajit Samani, 42, Amit Prahladbhai Chaudhari, 32, Amit Babubhai Chaudhari, 33, and Maheshkumar Chaudhari, 38, were arrested and charged after federal, state, and local law enforcement officers executed search warrants on suspicion of labor and sex trafficking crimes at four hotels.
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Law enforcement also arrested four people on outstanding warrants.
Where did the operations take place?
Federal and local law enforcement agencies are present at a hotel located at 2920 South 13th Court in Omaha, Neb. on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.
The United States Attorney's Office said in a press release named these four hotel locations:
» The AmericInn, 2920 S. 13th Court in Omaha
» The Inn (formerly Super 8), 9305 S 145th St. in Omaha
» New Victorian Inn and Suites, 10728 L St. in Omaha
» Roadway Inn, 1110 Fort Crook Road in Bellevue
Along with the four hotels, law enforcement searched two residences and multiple Brow & Lash salons.
What do we know about the victims?
The United States Attorney's Office said law enforcement officers rescued 10 children and 17 adults as part of the investigation. They also said that children under 12 years old allegedly worked at the hotels for long hours with little to no pay.
How did people at the hotels react?
Sierra Gast, a longtime resident of the Bellevue hotel, told The World-Herald she woke at 5:15 a.m. to police lights and a law enforcement agent walking with a rifle outside her room.
Her and other residents said they were questioned about sex trafficking, rent costs and the conditions of the hotel. This was the same questioning at the AmericInn as well, according to hotel occupant Chris Roreback.
Both occupants of two of the hotels said now they'll have to find new places to live.
“We have nowhere to go,” Gast told The World-Herald. “I mean, we are here for a reason, right? So it's just very unfortunate. There's a lot of residents here. Everybody's gonna go to the curb.”
What agencies were involved?
The sex and labor trafficking investigation was led by the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and numerous other law enforcement agencies listed below.
» Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office
» Omaha Police Department
» Nebraska State Patrol
» Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Branch
» United States Marshals Service
» Nebraska State Attorney General’s Office.
Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of August 2025
Members of the Heaven's Cry Dance Academy ride a float during the native days homecoming parade on N. 30th Street in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Preston Love Jr. speaks after the ribbon cutting for the North Omaha Visitors Center at 2205 N. 24th Street in Omaha on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.
Fans cheer as Magdalena Bay takes the stage during Maha Festival at Heartland of America Park in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Omaha Mayor John Ewing holds a piece of the ribbon he cut for himself at the ribbon cutting for the North Omaha Visitors Center at 2205 N. 24th Street in Omaha on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.
The begining of the native days homecoming parade on started on 30th and Lake Streets in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Creighton's Saige Damrow (13)poses for a portrait during volleyball media day in Omaha on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025.
The the native days homecoming parade heads north on 30th Street in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Mica Tenenbaum from Magdalena Bay performs during Maha Festival at Heartland of America Park in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
From left, Andy Gruis and Mallory Inman sit in the grass between acts at Maha Festival at Heartland of America Park in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Thousands gather during Maha Festival at Heartland of America Park in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Thousands gather during Maha Festival at Heartland of America Park in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule talks with defensive coordinator John Butler during a football practice at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Rayne Stokes, 11, hands a Nebraska sign to Marques Buford Jr. (3) to autograph during football fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Lily Goossen stirs pineapple for an ice cream flavor at Coneflower Creamery at Millwork Commons in Omaha on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.
Desmond Barnes looks at the encampment he's been living at by Dodge Street and Saddle Creek Road in Omaha on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. The campers, who are experiencing homelessness, have been issued orders by the city to vacate the area by August 14.
Creighton's Ashlyn Paymal (22) serves the ball during a volleyball practice at the Ruth Scott Training Center in Omaha on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. "GRIT" is spelled out on a whiteboard by the players.
Beto O'Rourke, former Texas congressman, speaks during a town hall at University of Nebraska at Omaha's Scott Conference Center in Omaha on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.
Creighton's Ashlyn Paymal (22) poses for a portrait during volleyball media day in Omaha on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025.
A hole is seen in the roof of the Dollar General distribution warehouse located at 1200 S 10th Streeet in Blair, Neb. on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. An early morning storm caused widespread wind damage in the area.
A rainbow is seen as lightning strikes during an early morning storm brought high winds to the area early in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.
The sunrises as a storm moves through early in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.
Elkhorn North's Austin McMurtry throws the ball during high school football practice at Elkhorn North in Omaha, Neb. on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025.
Yaya Dao throws branches into a pile of tree debris at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park in Omaha, Neb. on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. An early morning storm Saturday caused widespread wind damage in the area.
kevin.cole@owh.com, 402-444-1272
Dan Crisler
Public safety reporter
Maddie Ames
Multimedia Journalist
