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Authorities Arrest Man In Human Trafficking Case

Woman Says Man Forced Her Into Prostitution

POSTED: 11:42 am HST March 13, 2009
UPDATED: 1:12 pm HST March 13, 2009

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A coalition of local law enforcement agencies busted a prostitution ring, arresting the alleged pimp and rescuing a woman who said she was being forced into the sex trade.

Authorities arrested Joseph Faauga Vaimili, 27, Wednesday as part of an investigation into human trafficking at Waikiki massage parlors.

A 24-year-old woman said she was coerced into working in the sex trade and later threatened with a gun to continue.

The woman, who is originally from the mainland, is now at a temporary shelter.

"Human trafficking is a big problem in Hawaii and in our outlying territories the Honolulu FBI covers so Guam, Saipan, American Samoa," FBI Special Agent Brandon Simpson said. "Usually what we see is foreign nationals who are victims of human trafficking but it does happen with us citizens as well."

Vaimili was arrested on charges of terroristic threatening, promotion of prostitution and two counts of kidnapping.

The Hawaii Coalition against Human Trafficking, which investigated the case, is comprised of officers with the Honolulu Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Department of Public Safety.

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