Saudi princess won't be charged for human trafficking

A Saudi princess living in Southern California will no longer face charges of human trafficking after prosecutors determined there was not enough evidence she force a Kenyan woman to work for her as a servant.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Gerald G. Johnston dismissed the case against Meshael Alayban, 42, who was charged in July with one count of felony human trafficking.

Officials said a Kenyan woman had escaped from an Irvine gated community carrying a pamphlet on human trafficking, accusing Alayban of forcing her to work 16 hours a day for $220 a month. Alayban had allegedly held the woman's passport and other documents, preventing her from escaping.

But Friday, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said they were not able to corroborate the accusations.

“The evidence does not support the charges,” he said.

The defense for Alayban, who is married to Saudi Prince Abdulrahman bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz al Saud, had maintained her innocence from the start, saying they had a "mountain of evidence" proving her case.

Judge Johnston returned Alayban's passport to the princess in court Friday.