CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — A Chambersburg man is charged with involuntary servitude after police said he brought a woman from New York City to Franklin County under the false promise of restaurant employment and forced her to participate in a prostitution operation.
The woman told investigators she expected to work at a restaurant after arriving in Chambersburg. Instead, police said, she was compelled to help run a prostitution business at a North Third Street property.
According to police, the woman said she was not paid for her work, was closely monitored and was threatened with harm to family members if she attempted to leave.
Investigators alleged that Abimael Garcia-Vilchiz owned the North Third Street property, delivered supplies and controlled payments from customers.
Police said a search of the property led to the seizure of cash, ledgers and items associated with prostitution.
Garcia-Vilchiz has been charged with involuntary servitude. A charge is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
