Judge throws out plea deal in Hawaii human trafficking case; farm owners must enter new plea

Hawaii human trafficking case plea deal rejected

HONOLULU — A federal judge threw out a plea deal for the owners of a major Hawaii farm who had pleaded guilty to exploiting 44 imported laborers from Thailand.

Chief U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway on Thursday rejected the agreement because Alec Sou and Mike Sou disputed some of the facts in the human trafficking case.

The brothers operated Aloun Farms on Oahu and must now enter a new plea. Prosecutors threatened to bring additional charges against the Sous if they choose to go to trial.

They were scheduled to be sentenced Thursday and faced up to five years in prison under the agreement that was thrown out.

The Sous acknowledged violations of the U.S. agricultural guest worker program, but they denied withholding passports and threatening deportation.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

HONOLULU (AP) — A federal judge threw out a plea deal for the owners of a major Hawaii farm who had pleaded guilty to exploiting 44 imported laborers from Thailand.

Chief U.S. District Susan Oki Mollway on Thursday rejected the agreement because Alec Sou and Mike Sou disputed some of the facts in the human trafficking case.

The brothers operated Aloun Farms on Oahu and must now enter a new plea. Prosecutors threatened to bring additional charges against the Sous if they choose to go to trial.

They were scheduled to be sentenced Thursday and faced up to five years in prison under the agreement that was thrown out.

The Sous acknowledged violations of the U.S. agricultural guest worker program, but they denied withholding passports and threatening deportation.