ORANGE, N.J. — A federal grand jury has indicted two church leaders from Orange, New Jersey, on charges of sex trafficking, forced labor, and conspiracy, following a years-long investigation into alleged human trafficking carried out under the guise of religious ministry.
The indictment, unsealed Wednesday, charges Treva Edwards, 60, with sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and with forced labor. Edwards and Christine Edwards, 63, are also charged with conspiracy to commit forced labor. The pair allegedly operated a church called “Jesus is Lord by the Holy Ghost” from a multi-unit apartment building in Orange, where they recruited and controlled vulnerable individuals through manipulation, threats, and abuse.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, from 2011 to 2020, Treva and Christine Edwards targeted individuals experiencing financial or personal difficulties, convincing them to join their church and live on-site. The defendants allegedly exploited their positions as religious leaders to control victims through fear of divine punishment and to compel them to perform unpaid labor.
Treva Edwards is accused of subjecting one victim to repeated physical and sexual assaults, impregnating her, and instructing her to have an abortion. Victims were reportedly only fed once a day, deprived of sleep, and subjected to strict rules governing every aspect of their daily lives.
“The Department of Justice will not tolerate the exploitation of vulnerable individuals under the guise of faith or community,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “These charges reflect our unwavering focus on protecting victims and prosecuting those who commit forced labor and sex trafficking.”
Key points
- Treva Edwards indicted for sex trafficking, forced labor; both defendants charged with forced labor conspiracy
- Alleged abuse spanned nearly a decade under the guise of church operations
- Victims reportedly endured control, isolation, unpaid labor, and sexual violence
Federal agencies say victims manipulated with fear and isolation
The indictment describes how the Edwardses isolated victims from outsiders, monitored their movements and communications, and instilled fear of spiritual retribution to ensure compliance. Victims were dispatched to perform manual labor for contracts arranged by the defendants, with no pay, while the Edwardses kept the profits.
“This is an example of my office’s tireless commitment to combatting human trafficking in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Alina Habba for the District of New Jersey. “If you engage in human trafficking, we will find you, and we will prosecute you.”
Both Treva and Christine Edwards appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa on Wednesday. The sex trafficking charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life. Forced labor and conspiracy charges carry penalties of up to 20 years, or life if aggravated sexual abuse is involved.
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations Newark and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region. Prosecutors from both the U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Jersey and the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit are handling the case.
Federal authorities described the church as a front for labor and sexual exploitation masked in religious doctrine.