Oakland, After a year and a half of going back and forth to court, Lakireddy Bali Reddy pleaded guilty to all four counts against him.

The day started off with Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong going over the charges against Reddy. She explained the "C" codes and the affects behind the charges of the counts. Count 1 included bringing people over to the US illegally. Count 2 and 3 was aiding and abetting minors for illegal sex, and knowing they were minors at the time. The last count had to do with false tax statements Reddy made in 1998, saying he didn't have any overseas bank accounts, later it was proven that he did.

In his own words, Reddy admitted to his crimes saying "I brought victims 2 or 3 and intended to have sex with them." "I said on my tax return I had no foreign bank accounts".

Jayashri Srikantiah an attorney for the ACLU's immigrants rights project spoke on behalf of the victims in this case. She said the evidence they have is enough to prove Mr. Reddy has been organizing false visas, importing minors, and cheap labor in his businesses. Small portions of the two million dollars Reddy has to pay will be distributed to the victims and their families. Srikantiah reminded the court that these girls came from low caste families and the families put their trust into Mr. Reddy to take them back to America.

After Srikantiah spoke; Armstrong read the counts to Reddy one last time and he said guilty to each one of them. Before the court adjourned Mr. Reddy asked to speak. He cried into the microphone and said, "I want to request I'm very sorry please excuse me". Vijay Lakireddy, Reddy's younger son broke down in tears. After the hearing, Reddy was transferred to federal custody, and from there he was sent to jail. The sentencing will take place on April 10th.

Michael Rubin who is filing a civil suit against the Reddy family on behalf of the victims and their families mentioned that today was a positive step for their side. Srikantiah said, "What is important today is that Mr. Reddy has been unmasked as a violent criminal offender, brings young girls and women to this country for unlawful sex, and he is being punished for that by serving time in prison and paying restitution from the victims prospective. That's what we won today." She went on saying how he claimed all along that he was running a legitimate business and now he has finally admitted to his wrongs.

Shaily Matani from ASATA (Alliance of South Asians Taking Action) spoke on behalf of the group. She commented that they were really glad that Reddy is being held accountable. Matani also pointed out that this case shouldn't reflect on all South Asians. These types of crimes are happening all over the Bay Area and worldly and it's not just Reddy and it's not a cultural issue.

Nalini Sekhar who is a Maitri worker (South Asian women advocacy group in the South Bay) and has been working around prostitution in and around India for more then ten years was there in court today. Sekhar has been working closely with the victims for a year and a half. She said that the victims have the right resources here in America, and it will take time but slowly it will be easier for them to cope. Due to the proceedings in this case, she couldn't reveal details about the victims, but she thinks when she tells them about Reddy admitting in court what he has done, it will bring some peace and some closure for the girls.

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