Woman fights charges of enslaving 17-year-old undocumented immigrant
By Jeff Campbell
NewsChannel 36 Staff
Posted: Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011

A 53-year-old Charlotte woman is fighting federal charges of enslaving a 17-year-old undocumented immigrant.

According to the federal indictment, Lucinda Lyons Shackleford agreed to provide care for the teenage boy – including accommodations, food, and clothing.

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Instead of providing care, though, the US Justice Department alleges that Shackleford forced the teen to clean her home, work on her boyfriend’s car and sell beer to trailer park residents. The indictment also alleges that she demanded his pay, struck him, and threatened to call law enforcement and immigration officials if he did not return to her home.

Shackleford vigorously denied the charges.

“They say I was holding him hostage and that I was making him work,â€