NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A New Jersey couple was charged Thursday with forced labor and other crimes involving two undocumented individuals, according to the Department of Justice.
Bolaji Bolarinwa, 47, and Isiaka Bolarinwa, 65, both of Moorestown, New Jersey, are charged in an eight-count indictment with two counts of forced labor, officials said.
Bolaji Bolarinwa is also charged with two counts of bringing in and harboring certain undocumented individuals and two counts of unlawful conduct with respect to documents in furtherance of forced labor.
According to the indictment, from 2015 to 2016, Bolaji Bolarinwa allegedly unlawfully obtained labor and services from one victim by means of serious harm or threats of serious harm, and from another victim by means of force or threats of force.
She allegedly threatened and abused the legal system against both victims, while her spouse, Isiaka Bolarinwa, allegedly participated in the scheme and profited financially from the victims' forced labor.
The indictment also alleges Bolaji Bolarinwa knew that both victims had entered the United States illegally and harbored them from detection for her own financial gain. She also confiscated and possessed the passports and visas of both victims.
The couple face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of forced labor.
In addition, Bolaji Bolarinwa faces a maximum penalty on each undocumented individual harboring count of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty on each unlawful document conduct count of five years in prison.
They also each face a fine on each count of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.
