Commercial and Residential Locksmiths in Cartersville, GA

Labor trafficking bust at flooring manufacturer

Federal, state and local agents raided a company in Bartow County on Wednesday a part of a labor trafficking investigation.

The Brief

CARTERSVILLE, Ga. - FBI Atlanta and other law enforcement members raided Wellmade Industries, a flooring manufacturing company in Cartersville, on Wednesday afternoon. Officials said this came as part of a multi-year investigation into labor trafficking.

The company’s owner, Zhu Chen, and his nephew were arrested and face charges of trafficking persons for labor or sexual servitude.

Wellmade owner arrested amid investigation

The FBI, GBI, Homeland Security and other agencies investigated claims that Wellmade Industries in Bartow County forced people from other countries to work at the company with low pay. FOX 5 Atlanta's Denise Dillon reports live from the scene.

Victims reportedly forced to live in inadequate conditions

What we know:

Homeland Security (HSI), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Bartow County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies joined forces with FBI Atlanta in executing search warrants at the business on Wednesday afternoon.

There were allegations that victims were being brought in from other countries and forced to live in inadequate conditions and work for Wellmade for little pay.

"This is an active, ongoing labor trafficking investigation alleging Wellmade Industries is using fraud and coercion to induce Chinese nationals and other immigrants to work," FBI Atlanta posted on social media just before 2 p.m.

HSI confirmed there were hundreds of employees at the company. Dozens of them are potential victims.

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Zu Chen Courtesy of Bartow County Sheriff's Office

At least 20 translators and a victim specialist have been brought in to assist them, according to the FBI.

Zhu Chen, the owner of Wellmade Industries, was arrested. Jiayi Chen, was also booked into the jail on the same charges. Employees say he is the owner's nephew, who also worked at the company.

While acknowledging the large law enforcement presence in the area, FBI Atlanta said there was no immediate threat to the public.

Workers reportedly brought in from overseas

What they're saying:

"This operation was related to allegations of labor trafficking concerning foreign nationals and other financial crimes," said Lindsay Williams of Homeland Security. "The victims who are workers here are from several countries but primarily from China."

Agents allege that workers were brought from overseas and forced to work under poor conditions for low wages.

"It was just a bad, bad situation," said a former employee who once managed the company’s warehouse. "Horrible — you had unsafe conditions in there. People working in there with no heat."

The same former employee described overcrowded housing and a rotating shift system used to transport workers. "Maybe 12 people per house," he said. "They worked two different shifts. So they would have a van go pick up one crew, bring them to work. When that crew got here, they’d take the crew that was already here, take them home."

As agents served the warrants, dozens of employees on-site were taken to an off-site location for interviews.

"We’ll interview them and find out what they know about the working conditions and the allegations of labor trafficking," said FBI Assistant Special Agent Brian Ozden, who confirmed the investigation is ongoing.

Another man, Ziya Chen, identified by authorities as the owner’s nephew, was also booked into the Bartow County Jail on similar charges.

"It’s about time. That’s all I can say. It’s about time," the former employee added.

What you can do:

"The FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners and investigating allegations of human trafficking and to break the cycle of force, fraud, or coercion that binds victims to their traffickers," a spokesperson for FBI Atlanta said. "To be successful, we need your help. Please report alleged human trafficking to law enforcement or submit information to tips.fbi.gov. Tips can also be sent to the HSI Tipline at 877-4-HIS-TIP."

The Source: This information was confirmed in social media posts made by FBI Atlanta on March 26, 2025. FOX 5's Denise Dillon spoke with officials who took part in the raid and employees of Wellmade Industries, who gave their reaction and insight into the company. This article has been updated since it was originally published to add new details about the raid.

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Authorities charge two men with felony labor trafficking after raiding a Cartersville flooring plant.

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.

RELATED: Two arrested in Bartow County labor trafficking investigation tied to Georgia manufacturing plant

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."

A former employee exposes unsafe conditions at a Wellmade factory amid a federal labor trafficking probe.

CARTERSVILLE, Ga. — A former employee of Wellmade Industries, a flooring manufacturer in Cartersville, is shedding light on unsafe working conditions at the plant, which is now at the center of a federal labor trafficking investigation.

Lacortney Ware, who worked as an inspector from 2022 to 2023, describes the factory as a hazardous environment with little regard for worker safety.

"It was very chaotic. The floors were slippery, just everything was everywhere," Ware said. "You could tell the machines were not put together properly—just unsafe."

Ware recalled grueling 12-hour shifts with limited breaks, freezing conditions and being forced to cut flooring materials without proper protective gear.

"Not having gloves, not being able to get gloves while we're cutting the floor and measuring the floor… our fingers were cut," she said. "It was just dangerous.

RELATED: Two men face felony charges in Cartersville labor trafficking case

Credit: Authorities

During Ware’s time at the company, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Wellmade Industries for nine violations and fined the company more than $72,000. Federal documents revealed employees were exposed to severe hazards that could cause serious harm.

The plant’s owner, Zhu Chen, was arrested Wednesday following a federal raid and is now facing charges of labor trafficking and coercion. Ware said she was not surprised by his arrest.

"Yeah, I know him. That’s the one who pushed my cousin," she said recalling an incident with the owner where she says he got upset because they couldn't get the machine running.

While Ware said she and her cousin were not victims of trafficking, she sympathizes with those who were allegedly forced to work under such conditions.

"Nobody should be treated unfairly when they're trying to make a living for their family," Ware said. "Thinking you're coming over here to get a better life, and it turns out to be a nightmare—that's not right. Justice should be served."

In response to the federal investigation, Wellmade Industries has temporarily shut down its Georgia plant. The company released a statement saying it is cooperating with authorities, working with legal counsel to ensure compliance, and aiming to minimize disruption to its operations.

Federal investigators are continuing to interview hundreds of employees they say may be victims of labor trafficking.

CARTERSVILLE, Ga. — Federal agents concluded a months-long investigation Wednesday regarding undocumented foreign nationals working in unsuitable conditions at a manufacturing plant.

Action News Jax’s Atlanta station WSB-TV is now reporting that the owner of that plant - Wellmade Industries in Bartow County - is in jail.

Agents raided the facility Wednesday in a massive operation with Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, GBI and Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, according to an FBI social media post.

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WSB’s Tom Jones was the first TV reporter at the scene. He asked Homeland Security what brought so many agents there.

“This search warrant today was in relation to labor trafficking and financial crimes,” Lindsay Williams with Homeland Security said.

That search warrant at Wellmade Industries led to the arrest of its owner, 59-year-old Zhu “George” Chen.

Homeland Security investigators said a months-long investigation found he was bringing in workers from other countries and forcing them to work at his flooring company.

“Improper pay and treatment of workers,” Williams said.

The FBI said it was there in a supportive role but said the infractions at the facility were serious.

“Labor trafficking. Bringing in undocumented people to do work. Usually for lower wages,” said Brian Ozden, Assistant Special Agent-In-Charge in Atlanta.

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Law enforcement said some 300 and 400 foreign nationals who work there are victims.

“These folks today are primarily from China, but there are some other countries involved as well,” Williams said.

The FBI said arrangements are being made to get them housing for now.

“We’ve identified a number of victim witnesses. We’ve brought in 20 linguists from across the country to help interview and then process those through the investigation,” Ozden said.

Seven houses nearby were also searched. Law enforcement said that’s where some of the workers lived in harsh conditions.

Ozden said labor trafficking is a huge problem not just here but around the country.

“And we work diligently in the FBI with our partners to try to mitigate it,” Ozden said.

Chen faces three counts of trafficking of persons for labor or sexual servitude. Those are felonies.

He is currently being held at the Bartow County Jail.

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