Fayetteville duo accused of smuggling women and children into United States, then forcing them into free labor

Martha Zelaya-Mejia, 37, and David Darnell Whitehead, 42, were arrested on charges of conspiracy to smuggle, transport and harbor aliens for commercial advantage or private financial gain, conspiracy to commit forced labor and money laundering.

On Aug. 9, 2019, the Pender County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call from one of the women who stated she was not free to leave, was being held against her will and shocked with a Taser by the owner of the house in Willard.

Law enforcement said Zelaya-Meija and Whitehead conspired with others to smuggle four Honduran women and their children through Mexico into the United States.

The suspects used cars and the Wilmington airport to transport the victims.

In order to smuggle the women, the duo reportedly sent thousands of dollars in wire transfers to smugglers from eastern North Carolina to Honduras, Mexico and other locations near the U.S.-Mexico border.

"When you have an investigation that involves multiple victims, and some instances the transfer of money, across state and international borders it can take a long time to pull all the pieces together," said Wake County district attorney Lorinn Freeman.

According to the 42-count indictment, once the women were in the U.S., they were taken to a home in Willard where they were kept for free labor "by means of force, threat, or physical restraint."

"The arrests will bring an end to the reign of terror that these two predators inflicted on their victims." said Special Agent in Charge Ronnie Martinez, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations operations in North Carolina.

Freeman said why this case isn't her investigation, she's seen a human trafficking case each year.

"It's happening right now in Wake County," she added.

Freeman said it takes time for the victims to open up, even after their oppressors are arrested.

"Long emotional abuse, often times with the victims you have to go through deprogramming and support and making sure they feel comfortable and safe," said Freeman.

She added that when it comes to human trafficking, if someone sees something that isn't right -- call police. It could give investigators the next big break.