Ifrah Law Secures Presidential Pardon for Human Trafficking Survivor Hollie Nadel

Client Receives Full Executive Clemency Following Years of Advocacy

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ifrah Law, a premier boutique law firm handling high-stakes criminal defense matters, has secured a full presidential pardon for Hollie Nadel, a survivor of human trafficking who was charged for crimes committed under coercion by her traffickers, and a fierce advocate for survivor-informed legislation.

The pardon represents the culmination of years of dedicated legal advocacy by Ifrah Law partners Jeff Ifrah and James Trusty, who have represented Nadel since her initial involvement in a federal criminal case stemming from her victimization by a Roma trafficking organization.

"Hollie Nadel's story is a powerful illustration of this Administration, including White House Counsel, recognizing the complex reality of human trafficking victims,” Ifrah said. "This presidential pardon acknowledges what we have argued from the beginning – that Hollie was a victim, not a perpetrator.”

Nadel was initially charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia with conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, interference with interstate commerce by extortion and witness tampering. However, as Ifrah Law demonstrated throughout the case, Nadel was enticed into a sex and labor trafficking group that manipulated her into paying increasing amounts of money while transporting her around the country to perpetuate schemes against multiple people.

Ifrah Law secured a plea agreement limiting Nadel to a single conspiracy count. At her September 2024 sentencing, the firm successfully argued against additional incarceration beyond the 56 days she had already served, with the judge agreeing that imprisoning Nadel would only deter other trafficking victims from seeking help.

"Too often, the criminal justice system fails to recognize that trafficking victims are forced to commit crimes under extreme duress and manipulation," said Trusty, who previously served as the chief of the Organized Crime Section of the U.S. Department of Justice. "We worked tirelessly to help prosecutors and the court understand the psychological manipulation and coercion Hollie endured – and the judge ultimately agreed that imprisoning her would only discourage other victims from seeking help. This pardon affirms that our justice system can and should distinguish between those who exploit others and those who are exploited."

Nadel's cooperation was instrumental in the successful prosecution of her traffickers. Following her assistance, five Roma conspirators were indicted and all have been sentenced to imprisonment.

Hollie has become a key voice behind landmark federal legislation that is now headed to the President’s desk. The bipartisan Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Act of 2025 (H.R. 1144), sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), would allow trafficking survivors to seek mandatory judicial relief from convictions stemming directly from their exploitation, without the need for a presidential pardon. Nadel testified before Congress in support of the bill and has participated in multiple hearings, helping to shape legislation designed to prevent survivors from being re-victimized by the justice system. Had the law been in place at the time of Hollie’s case, her relief could have been granted directly by the sentencing court.

"This pardon removes an unfair burden of felony conviction placed on someone who was herself a victim," added Ifrah. "Hollie lost employment opportunities despite her excellent performance, solely because of a conviction that resulted from her victimization. This executive clemency allows her to fully rebuild her life and continue her important work helping other survivors."

The presidential pardon represents a significant victory not only for Nadel, but for trafficking survivors nationwide. It acknowledges that trafficking victims who are forced to commit crimes deserve rehabilitation and support rather than permanent criminal records that hamper their recovery.

Ifrah Law is a Washington, D.C.-based boutique law firm specializing in white-collar criminal defense, government investigations, gaming law, and complex civil litigation. The firm has earned national recognition for its work defending individuals and corporations in high-stakes federal criminal matters and has been recognized by Chambers USA for its white-collar crime and government investigations practice. Known for its innovative defense strategies and commitment to justice, Ifrah Law has successfully represented clients in some of the nation's most significant criminal cases.