CARTERSVILLE, Ga. — Two men are facing felony charges following a large-scale labor trafficking raid at a flooring manufacturing plant in Cartersville.

According to arrest warrants obtained by 11Alive, investigators built their case around three former workers—some of whom had been employed at the Wellmade factory for years.

The suspects, identified as Chen Zhu and Jiayi Jia Chen, are accused of knowingly subjecting, transporting and harboring victims for the purpose of labor servitude between 2022 and 2024. Both men are being held at the Bartow County Jail on three counts each of felony trafficking of persons for labor servitude.

Federal and local law enforcement, including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, raided the facility on Tuesday. Officials allege the suspects used fraud and coercion to recruit immigrant workers, many from China and subjected them to harsh working conditions.

“You don’t treat them well, like in some cases, workers are exposed to very dangerous conditions, or they’re forced to live in very [poor] conditions—they don’t have free will,” said Lindsay Williams of HSI Atlanta.

Authorities say some workers were on visas while others were undocumented, but all are considered victims of labor trafficking.

The case remains under investigation, and officials say more charges and arrests may come. Williams said it could take years to fully uncover the scope of the operation.

11Alive found Wellmade Industries had around a dozen inspections from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the last three years, with penalties totaling more than $72,000. Violations included improper training, amputation hazards, hearing risks and unsafe equipment procedures.

In the meantime, Wellmade Industries issued a statement noting it is currently experiencing a “temporary closure due to an ongoing investigation.”

The company adds that it is fully cooperating and “actively working with legal counsel and the relevant authorities to understand the scope of the investigation and maintain compliance with all applicable laws.”  

Full statement from Wellmade Industries: 

“Wellmade Industries Georgia plant is currently experiencing a temporary closure due to an ongoing investigation by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. The company is fully cooperating with the requests of the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. The company is actively working with legal counsel and the relevant authorities to understand the scope of the investigation and maintain compliance with all applicable laws. The company is working diligently to address this situation and minimize any disruption to our operations.”