BROTHERS ARRESTED, INDICTED FOR LABOR TRAFFICKING ON MAUI

BROTHERS ARRESTED, INDICTED FOR LABOR TRAFFICKING
ON MAUI

HONOLULU – Brothers Axel Camey Chajil and Brandon Camey Chajil were arrested by
Maui police last night and arraigned today on charges related to the alleged labor
trafficking of a man from Guatemala to Maui.
A Maui Grand Jury indicted the brothers on August 7, 2026, on eight criminal charges:
four counts of Labor Trafficking in the First Degree, three counts of Extortion in the First
Degree and Unlawful Conduct with Respect to Documents.
Labor Trafficking in the First Degree is a class A felony offense punishable by up to 20
years in prison and a $50,000 fine. Extortion in the First Degree is a class B felony
offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Unlawful Conduct
with Respect to Documents is a class C felony offense punishable by up to five years in
prison and a $10,000 fine.
The Department of the Attorney General’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division
(SIPD) partnered with the Maui Police Department (MPD) and the United States
Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General and to conduct the investigation.
“Labor trafficking exploits vulnerable people for financial gain and strips them of their
freedom and dignity,” said Attorney General Anne Lopez. “These arrests reflect the
commitment of our state, county and federal partners to working together to identify labor
trafficking, protect victims and hold those who exploit workers accountable.”
“Labor trafficking is a hidden crime that preys on vulnerable members of our community
and often occurs behind closed doors. Through strong collaboration with our federal and
regional law enforcement partners, we are committed to identifying and investigating
these crimes, disrupting trafficking operations, protecting victims, and holding those
responsible accountable,” said Maui Police Chief John Pelletier. “These investigations
demonstrate the importance of coordinated law enforcement efforts in bringing traffickers
to justice and protecting those who are most vulnerable.”
“One of the top priorities of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General is
to investigate those who exploit America’s workforce and communities through illegal,
violent, or fraudulent means. This investigation reflects our ongoing commitment to
protecting vulnerable workers and upholding the integrity of our nation’s labor system. I
commend the outstanding collaborative effort of our local, state, and federal partners in
Hawaiʻi. Exploitation will not be tolerated in our labor programs. We will confront it with
the full force of a coordinated, whole-of-government response and ensure justice is
served,” said Anthony P. D’Esposito, U.S. Department of Labor-Office of Inspector
General.
The cases, State v. Brandon Camey Chajil, 2CPC-26-333, and State v. Axel Camey
Chajil, 2CPC-26-334, are being prosecuted by SIPD Deputy Attorney General Leigh
Okimoto.
Axel Camey Chajil and Brandon Camey Chajil are presumed innocent unless and until
proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The public can report corruption, fraud, economic crime and human trafficking through
the SIPD “Submit a Tip” website at https://ag.hawaii.gov/sipd/tips/. If there is an
emergency or an immediate threat to life, please call 911.