On September 2, 2026, in Huntsville, Alabama, a Chinese buffet restaurant is under investigation for alleged human trafficking involving its employees. Local authorities have arrested three individuals, with two Chinese nationals being released on bail temporarily.
According to a report by local media WHNT on August 31, following a report to the local authorities, an investigation was launched into the “Meteor Buffet” restaurant, lasting 17 days. On August 27, around 5:45 a.m., search and arrest warrants were executed at six locations.
The search locations included the “Meteor Buffet” on Highway 72, three residences in Dawson Terrace, one residence on Cameron Road, and a piece of land in Madison County.
During the operation, Caiyun Chen was arrested and charged with first-degree human trafficking. On August 28, a judge approved her $100,000 bail with conditions such as GPS monitoring and no contact with the victims. Chen was released from the Madison County Jail on Monday, August 31.
The other two detainees are 64-year-old Chao B. Zhang and 44-year-old Baudilio Ordonez-Gomez. They are charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, with bail set at $30,000 each. Zhang has been released on bail, while Ordonez-Gomez remains in custody.
Records from the Alabama Secretary of State show that Zhang is listed as the registered owner of the “Meteor Buffet.”
The investigation by the Huntsville Police Department (HPD) began on August 9. It started when the “Strategic, Tactical, and Investigative Response to Key Exploitation” (STRIKE) task force received a plea for help from a woman.
Investigators from the Huntsville Police Department revealed that the woman stated she was brought to Huntsville to work and was threatened with deportation if she did not continue working to pay off debts.
Community Relations Officer Chase Baker stated that aside from human trafficking, “the case also involves exploiting her immigrant status to coerce her to continue working.”
Authorities have not disclosed the victim’s personal information, only mentioning that the investigation is ongoing, with further evidence collection and interrogation of suspects still in progress. It is not ruled out that more individuals might be involved in the case.
Law enforcement emphasized that the individuals arrested are innocent until proven guilty in court, as they are currently facing criminal charges.