PESCADERO, CA – Two men have been arrested on felony charges of wage theft after allegedly depriving employees of nearly $200,000 in wages for over six months, according to the San Mateo District Attorney’s Office.
On Tuesday, Aaron Esquer Corrales, 41, of Rohnert Park, and Roberto Perez-Flores, 41, of Daly City, were charged with 16 counts of felony wage theft and an enhancement for white-collar crime. Corrales is the CEO of Miles Ahead Ventures, the company leasing a cannabis farm in Pescadero, while Perez-Flores serves as the company’s secretary.
Wage Theft Allegations
Prosecutors allege that Corrales and Perez-Flores failed to pay 30 employees for their work between May 1, 2024, and January 24, 2025, totaling more than $200,000. Many of these workers allegedly traveled long distances, with some commuting from as far as Salinas, approximately 70 miles away, to work at the farm.
On-site conditions were reportedly poor, with workers staying in rat-infested greenhouses equipped with only a portable toilet and a small stove. According to the District Attorney’s Office, workers were promised future payment, but they were never compensated for their labor.
Insurance and Promises of Payment
Further allegations suggest the company deprived workers of compensation insurance and encouraged them to continue working with empty promises of future payments. The defendants allegedly manipulated employees into working under the guise of an eventual payout, which never materialized.
Court Proceedings
Perez-Flores appeared in court on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Despite the District Attorney’s objections, Perez-Flores was released from custody. A preliminary hearing for the case has been scheduled for April 30, 2025.
Meanwhile, Corrales was arrested in Marin County and is currently being held, awaiting transfer to San Mateo County.
This case highlights the importance of protecting workers’ rights, particularly in industries like cannabis, where wage exploitation can be an ongoing issue.
