OGDEN, Utah. (NMB) – The owner of Midway West Amusements, the carnival that is operating at this year’s Great Northern Fair, has been charged with multiple crimes related to human trafficking.
Jordan Jensen, 31, of Gilbert, Arizona, has been charged with three counts of the second degree felony of human trafficking, and nine counts of the third degree felony of possession of another’s identity documents.
A press release alleges that Midway West Amusements illegally induced more than 20 Mexican Nationals to work for their traveling carnival. All workers were legally in the US, with H2B Visas and passports that had been kept from them to keep them from leaving the group.
Two victims contacted the Consulate, alleging that the company was essentially holding their legal status in the US hostage.
The victims are safe and under the supervision of the Mexican Consulate.
The arrest was made by a special strike force with the Utah Attorney General’s Office, who worked closely with the Mexican Consulate and Asian Association of Utah.
Jensen had an initial court appearance on Monday, with his next hearing scheduled for August 23rd.
Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes says the case is a classic example of “human trafficking or indentured servitude.”
