April 8th, 2025 – 5:25 PM
WRGA Staff Reports –
According to Homeland Security Investigations of Atlanta (HSI Atlanta), two men are facing felony labor trafficking charges in Bartow County.
Federal and local authorities executed a search warrant at Wellmade Performance Flooring and several Bartow County residences back on March 26 as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
The operation was led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in coordination with the FBI, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, and other law enforcement partners.
Zhu Chen of Cartersville and his nephew, Jiayi “Morgan” Chen of Peachtree Corners, have been arrested in connection to alleged abuses at the flooring company, which is located off Highway 293.
Authorities say the men recruited Chinese nationals on L-1 visas, promising high-paying jobs, but instead forced them to work 12-hour shifts under restricted conditions. Workers’ documents were reportedly confiscated, and they were not allowed to leave their workplaces or residences.
While three victims are named in the case, prosecutors believe up to 40 individuals were trafficked.
Zhu Chen was reported to be a manager at the company.
Morgan Chen, who allegedly left the business in December 2023, is accused of withholding documents and threatening workers with large fines if they attempted to leave.
Both men were granted a $200,000 bond, with conditions including home confinement, ankle monitors, and no contact with the company or its employees.
