 Thu, Aug 28, 2008 07:44 PM
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2008-06-20  Crime | Family accused of 'modern slavery'
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| | by Jason Wright | |  |
June 26, 2008 | 09:06 AM
www.gwinnettherald.com
ATLANTA – A former Fulton County magistrate judge, his Forsyth County Sheriff's deputy son and the deputy's wife have all been charged with human trafficking, among other charges, for their part in allegedly forcing an Indian nanny to work without pay in their Woodstock home beginning in 2003.
The suit also alleges they then used their influence to hassle her after she escaped with the help of a neighbor.
The office of U.S. Attorney David E. Nahmias said June 18 that former Fulton County Magistrate Judge and Alpharetta lawyer D. William Garrett Jr., 72, of Alpharetta, his son, Forsyth County Sheriff's deputy Russell Garrett, 43, of Woodstock, and the deputy's wife, Malika Garrett, also of Woodstock, conspired to bring an Indian national to their home in order to care for their children in January 2003.
The charges against the three allege the Garretts later stopped paying the victim for her work as a nanny, significantly curtailed her freedom and ability to leave their home, and threatened to malign her to her family in India if she did not work for them.
The woman was reportedly forced to work more than 16 hours a day, every day, under a barrage of insults, intimidation and threats of jail and deportation. With the assistance of a neighbor, the victim escaped the Garretts' home, said Nahmias.
"This type of abuse is insidious," said Nahmias. "It preys upon those who are vulnerable due to their immigration status and unfamiliarity with this country's legal system."
In addition, the indictment alleges that after the victim escaped, the Garretts falsely accused her of theft to local authorities, reported her illegal status to federal authorities and falsely accused her of engaging in terrorism-related activities to the Department of Homeland Security.
All three also allegedly made false statements to the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to obtain a visa for the victim, with the father and son using their credentials as law enforcement officials for influence.
"Not paying someone for their hard work, and then threatening them with deportation if they report such abuse, is a violation of federal civil rights laws," said Nahmias. "The Department of Justice will vigorously prosecute this form of modern day slavery."
Capt. Frank Huggins, a spokesman with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, said Russell Garrett has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of an internal investigation into the charges. He has been with the Sheriff's Office since August 2002.
"He is assigned to our Court Services division," Huggins said.
Patrick Crosby, a spokesman with Nahmias' office, said Garrett identified himself as a magistrate judge to authorities. However, D. William Garrett Jr. has not been employed with state court in Fulton County, which oversees magistrate judges, since December 2005, said William Durant, senior public affairs officer for Fulton County. Durant added that he was removed from the position by state court Chief Judge A. L. Thompson.
He would not elaborate why.
Representatives from Garrett's North Main Street law offices had no comment.
James Drinkard, assistant city administrator for Alpharetta, said D. William Garrett Jr. served as the city's legal counsel in the late '70s and early '80s.
"He has not been affiliated with the city since that time," he said.
The three are all charged as part of a nine-count indictment, that includes human trafficking, alien harboring, witness tampering and making false statements.
If convicted, Malika Garrett faces a maximum penalty of 60 years, while her husband could be sentenced to 50 and her father-in-law 10.
This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
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