Stavros Papantoniadis, owner of the Stash’s Pizza chain in Massachusetts, was sentenced to 102 months in prison on Friday for forcing six undocumented workers into labor through violence, threats, and intimidation, The Associated Press reports.
The sentence also includes one year of supervised release and a $35,000 fine.
Prosecutors alleged that Papantoniadis, 49, subjected his workers to brutal physical abuse, threats of violence and deportation, and extreme workplace demands. The victims, five men and one woman, were employed at Stash’s Pizza locations and often worked 14-hour shifts, seven days a week.
Papantoniadis was convicted in June on six counts of forced labor and attempted forced labor. He has been in custody since his arrest in March 2023.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levy said Papantoniadis was driven by greed and exploited his workers, many of whom were vulnerable due to their immigration status.
Papantoniadis used fear and intimidation tactics to control his workers, including monitoring them with surveillance cameras and threatening to report them to immigration authorities. One victim, who attempted to leave the workplace, was chased down by Papantoniadis and falsely reported to the police in an attempt to force him back.
Carmine Lepore, Papantoniadis’ lawyer, said they plan to pursue a new trial and appeal the sentence, arguing that the guidelines were excessive for the charges.
