Saudi Royal Princess Now Human Trafficker: Faces 12 Years in Prison If Convicted w/ $5 Million Bail
Saudi royality, Princess Meshael Alayban, may face 12 years behind bars if convicted of human trafficking.
According to prosecutors, the 42-year-old Saudi princess was arrested on Wednesday in Santa Ana, California, for holding a domestic worker hostage in an Orange County condominium.
Princess Meshael and her family were discovered in the Irvine condo by police officials after the domestic worker, a Kenyan woman, caught a bus and conveyed to a passenger on it that she thought she had been a victim of human trafficking. The passenger helped the victim contact the police.
The Kenyan woman, 30, was hired in her native country in 2012. When she made it to Saudi Arabia her passport was seized. Authorities reported that the victim suffered unreasonable work hours with less pay than promised and held captive.
The victim expected $1,600 a month for her services but only received $200 a month.
"This is not a contract dispute," said O.C. District Attorney Tony Rackauckas at Wednesday's bail hearing, reported USA Today. "This is holding someone captive against their will."
The princess' attorney, Paul Meyer, does think it is a contractual case.
"This is a domestic hours dispute," he said.
Alayban did not appear in court.
Although Rackauckas wanted the Saudi princess' bail to be denied or set at $20 million, the judge set it at $5 million and required her to wear a GPS monitoring device. In addition, Alayban can't leave the county without permission.
The Saudi princess and her family came to the U.S. in may with the Kenyan woman and four other women from the Philippines.
The Filipino women told authorities that they are interested in being free, however, no charges against Alayban are in connection with them.
The princess, who is married to a Saudi prince, is set to be arraigned this Thursday.