PHOENIX—Four family members were arrested today and face federal charges for exploiting the labor of immigrant Vietnamese nationals for years at their I Do, I Do Wedding Shop in Flagstaff, Arizona, federal authorities announced.
The two-year joint investigation into the family’s activity—dubbed “Operation Broken Promises”—involved at least five victims, now living throughout the United States. Earlier today federal prosecutors unsealed a five-count indictment and served arrest warrants against Flagstaff residents Huong Thi “Kelly” McReynolds, 58; Joseph Minh McReynolds, 36; Vincent Minh McReynolds, 32; and James Hartful McReynolds, 60. According to the indictment, the McReynolds family brought the victims into the United States by offering them a better life, including promises of happy marriages to United States citizens and educational opportunities. Shortly after the victims arrived in the United States, they discovered that the McReynolds family would not fulfill their promises. The victims instead faced compelled servitude in the McReynolds’ home and business.
Houng McReynolds was charged with all five counts alleged in the indictment: Count one alleges a violation of conspiring to engage in forced labor, count two alleges a forced labor violation, count three alleges a violation of unlawful conduct with respect to documents in furtherance of forced labor, count four alleges a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and count five alleges a violation of conspiring to engage in marriage fraud. Joseph McReynolds was charged in counts one, two, and five; Vincent McReynolds was charged in counts one and two; and James McReynolds was charged in count five.
Members of the McReynolds family, including Huong, Joseph, and James, each married Vietnamese victims. The victims believed they would be entering legitimate marriages with these McReynolds family members. Huong McReynolds shepherded victims through the visa process, to include coaching them prior to their interviews at the consulate. Once the victims were in the United States, Huong McReynolds confiscated their passports and identification, and informed them that they would not only be working at her home, but also long hours in their bridal shop. Despite their marriages to the victims, Huong McReynolds and James McReynolds, who divorced in 1996, continued to live together as husband and wife. Both before and after Joseph McReynolds’ marriage to one of the Vietnamese victims, he was living with a U.S. citizen, with whom he fathered children both before and during his fraudulent marriage.
Regarding the I Do, I Do Wedding Shop and other real property in Flagstaff, the United States District Court has issued a restraining order to preserve that property, and to prevent the removal or sale of such assets prior to the resolution of the criminal forfeiture proceedings included in the Indictment. The United States Marshal will act as receiver for the property. The phone number for the wedding shop will remain operational. If customers have immediate questions, they can contact the shop, however, the Marshals Service will be reaching out to contact existing customers.
A conviction for a violation of conspiring to engage in forced labor carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. A conviction for a violation of forced labor carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. A conviction for unlawful conduct with respect to documents in furtherance of forced labor carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. A conviction for a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison, $10,000 or both. Finally, a conviction for a violation of conspiring to engage in marriage fraud carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. In determining an actual sentence, the assigned District Court Judge, Judge Snow, will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. Judge Snow, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.
The investigation was conducted by ICE HSI, the FBI, the United States Department of Labor, and the United States Marshals Service. The prosecution is being handled by Krissa Lanham and Josh Patrick Parecki, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.