NISSWA, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — A former Nisswa hotel owner faces two felony charges after allegedly forcing a woman to work against her will.
Vijay Kumar Ramanbhai Patel, 52, of Deerwood, Minnesota, was charged Tuesday, November 10, 2026, in Crow Wing County District Court.
Prosecutors charged Patel with felony labor trafficking and felony threats of violence. The allegations involve a woman from Guyana who traveled to Minnesota in July 2024.
Free Vacation Offer Leads to Hotel Work
According to the criminal complaint, the woman was visiting family in New York City when she saw an advertisement.
The advertisement offered a free trip to Nisswa, Minnesota. The woman purchased a plane ticket after receiving assurances she would be reimbursed.
She arrived in Minnesota around July 28, 2024, and was taken to Nisswa Inn and Suites.
Hotel staff told her to rest before reporting for work the following morning. She told investigators she did not understand she was expected to work.
The next morning, a manager allegedly instructed her to begin vacuuming and cleaning hotel rooms.
The woman also described meeting Patel, who allegedly directed her to pick up items from the floor.
She said she could not see anything that needed cleaning.
Woman Claims She Was Held Against Her Will
The complaint alleges Patel later demanded nude photographs and began sending threatening messages.
The woman repeatedly asked to return to her family, saying she was being forced to work without compensation.
Investigators received screenshots of messages exchanged between the woman and Patel.
In one exchange, the woman said she was being held against her will and wanted to go home.
Patel allegedly responded that she had come to work for him and must remain at the hotel.
Death Threats Allegedly Sent in Messages
The woman eventually threatened to contact police about her treatment at the hotel.
According to the complaint, Patel responded with a threat to kill her if she reported the situation.
The woman eventually managed to leave the hotel.
However, investigators allege Patel continued sending threatening and abusive messages afterward.
One message allegedly described the woman as someone he had employed as a slave.
Other messages allegedly contained threats of sexual assault and murder.
The woman reported the situation to a Crow Wing County Sheriff’s investigator on September 13, 2024.
Other Immigrant Workers Mentioned
The woman also told investigators that other immigrant women at the hotel had experienced similar abuse.
Those claims were included in the criminal complaint. The extent of any additional investigation was not detailed in the provided report.
The hotel was sold in July 2025, according to property records cited by FOX 9.
Felony Charges and Upcoming Court Hearing
Patel was charged by summons and was not in custody when the charges were reported.
His first court appearance is scheduled for December 7, 2026, according to the original report.
Minnesota law addresses labor trafficking under Section 609.282.
The state’s threats of violence law addresses threats intended to terrorize another person.
Readers can learn more about public court documents through Minnesota Court Records Online.
The allegations have not been proven in court. Patel is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
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