Current:Home > reviewsMissouri prosecutor accuses 3 men of holding student from India captive and beating him -Wealth Axis Pro
Missouri prosecutor accuses 3 men of holding student from India captive and beating him
View
Date:2025-04-12 11:06:10
ST. CHARLES, Mo. (AP) — Three men held a student from India captive over the course of several months and forced him to work and perform menial tasks, then viciously beat him when he didn’t complete the chores to their satisfaction, a Missouri prosecutor said Thursday.
St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph McCulloch announced charges against Venkutesh Sattaru, 35; Nikhil Penmatsa, 27; and Sravan Penumetcha, 23. All three face counts related to human trafficking, kidnapping and other crimes. They are jailed without bond and don’t have attorneys listed yet.
The 20-year-old victim is hospitalized with a broken nose, broken ribs and bones in his hands and feet, and severe injuries from being punched, stomped on and beaten with pipes and a wire that left him scarred “from the top of his head literally to the bottom of his feet,” McCulloch said.
Authorities said the victim is the cousin of Sattaru, who owns an information technology company. The student came to the U.S. about a year ago to attend college but instead was forced to work at the company and perform other tasks demanded by the suspects, McCulloch said.
He was kept at various times in the basements of three homes without adequate food and water, and with no bathroom, authorities said.
The victim was discovered by police after a neighbor of one of the homes in the small rural town of Defiance, Missouri, asked police to perform a wellness check. As officers were at the home this week, the victim “ran out of the house yelling, screaming for help,” McCulloch said.
Charging documents say that the victim told police he feared he would be killed if he told anyone about the abuse because Sattaru is wealthy with deep connections in India, and the other men also are wealthy.
veryGood! (2597)
Related
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- Emily Ratajkowski Makes Met Gala 2023 Her Personal Runway With Head-Turning Look
- The Masked Singer's Mantis and Gargoyle Revealed
- Inside Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge's Star-Studded Wedding
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Wayfair's Early Way Day Deals Are Here: Shop the Best Home Decor, Kitchenware, Furniture & More on Sale
- Cara Delevingne Makes a Strong Case for Leg Warmers at the 2023 Met Gala
- TikToker Jake Octopusslover8 Shane Shares How Amassing Millions of Followers Impacted His Mental Health
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- North West and Penelope Disick Embrace Met Gala 2023 Theme in the Cutest Way
Ranking
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- Rain brings much-needed relief to firefighters battling Nova Scotia wildfires
- 24 Things Every Wine Lover Should Own
- Madison Beer Details Suicidal Thoughts, Substance Abuse, Sexual Assault in Her Book The Half of It
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Idaho Murder Suspect Bryan Kohberger Claims Surviving Roommate Has Evidence That May Help Clear His Name
- NOAA predicts a 'near-normal' hurricane season. But that's not good news
- Wayfair Way Day Sale Last Day to Shop: Your Guide to the Best Deals Including Finds Under $50
Recommendation
The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
In some fights over solar, it's environmentalist vs. environmentalist
Raquel Leviss Admits to Sleeping Over at Tom Sandoval's in Bombshell Vanderpump Rules Preview
Live From New York It’s Pete Davidson and Chase Sui’s Date Night
US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
California wants to store floodwaters underground. It's harder than it sounds
Climate change is our reality — so why wouldn't it appear on reality TV?
Met Gala 2023: Pregnant Serena Williams Announces She's Expecting Baby No. 2 With Alexis Ohanian