Two Arrested After Over 300 Labor Trafficking Victims Discovered at Bartow County Flooring Facility, a resident listed in public arrest records, was taken into custody on April 5, 2025, in Featured County, Georgia. According to the official booking report, the arrest was made by local authorities and the subject was charged with the following offense(s): unspecified charges. This incident was officially recorded and made publicly available by law enforcement agencies in the state of Georgia. The details provided reflect the arrest information at the time of booking and do not indicate guilt or conviction. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
BARTOW COUNTY, Ga. – Federal and local authorities executed a large-scale operation Wednesday at Wellmade Industries, a flooring manufacturer in Bartow County, uncovering what investigators say is a significant labor trafficking scheme involving hundreds of foreign workers.
The months-long investigation, led by federal agents in coordination with local law enforcement, centers on allegations that Wellmade Industries employed foreign nationals under coercive and exploitative conditions. During the operation, officials arrested company owner Zhu Chen, who now faces three felony charges of trafficking persons for labor servitude. Jiayi Jia Chen was also taken into custody on similar charges.
Authorities allege the two lured workers—primarily from China—into the U.S. under false pretenses, offering promises of fair wages and safe working environments that never materialized. Once at the plant, the workers were allegedly subjected to unsafe conditions, minimal pay, and threats that prevented them from leaving or seeking help.
Federal agents also searched the Wellmade facility and several nearby residences believed to be used to house the workers. Estimates suggest that between 300 and 400 individuals may have been affected.
Multiple federal agencies were involved in the operation, including the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office. Interpreters and victim advocates accompanied agents to assist workers, many of whom are reportedly from China, though individuals from other countries may also be among the victims.
The investigation began after reports surfaced accusing the company of trafficking laborers and engaging in fraudulent recruitment practices. In addition to labor trafficking, officials are probing potential financial crimes related to the company’s operations.
Past OSHA inspections have cited the facility for serious safety violations, including amputation hazards and insufficient protective equipment. A former employee who left the company in 2022 described conditions as “terrible” and unsafe. The company has also faced lawsuits alleging racial discrimination and broken promises of promotions and advancement opportunities for non-Chinese workers.
Wellmade Industries, which opened in 2019 and expanded operations the following year with a $35 million investment, has long served clients across metro Atlanta. Its rapid growth now appears overshadowed by accusations of systemic abuse and exploitation.
Federal officials are working to ensure the well-being of the workers and connect them with legal and housing resources. While there has been no official word on the immigration status of the victims, authorities have indicated that those trafficked for labor are typically treated as victims, not offenders.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials urge anyone with additional information to contact law enforcement. Further charges and developments are expected in the coming weeks.
Disclaimer: All data provided here is taken from public arrest records. This publication does not imply guilt or final conviction.
More Arrests in Featured on April 5, 2025
No other arrests found on this date in Featured.
