A federal jury in Camden, New Jersey, has convicted Bolaji Bolarinwa, 50, and Isiaka Bolarinwa, 67, both of Burlington County, New Jersey, of forced labor and other crimes related to their coercive scheme. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke stated, “The defendants confiscated the victims’ passports, threatened them, degraded them, physically abused them and kept them under constant surveillance, all to coerce the victims’ labor and ruthlessly exploit them for the defendants’ own profit.” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger added, “Forced labor and human trafficking are abhorrent crimes that have no place in our society.”
Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy of the FBI Newark Field Office highlighted the suffering endured by the victims, stating, “The victims in this investigation suffered in unimaginable ways at the hands of their captors, enduring years of physical and mental abuse. Human trafficking often takes on many different forms and can hide in plain sight. We want everyone to know if you or anyone you know is a victim – you can come to us for help. We will bring your tormentors to justice.”
The evidence presented at trial revealed that the Bolarinwas recruited two victims from Nigeria to come to the United States and coerced them to perform domestic labor and childcare services through physical harm, threats, isolation, surveillance, and psychological abuse. The victims were compelled to work every day, around the clock, for nearly a year. Victim 2 eventually reported the abuse to a professor, leading to the involvement of the FBI.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled for a later date. Both defendants face significant prison time and fines, as well as mandatory restitution to the victims. The FBI Newark Field Office investigated the case, and the prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender and Trial Attorney Elizabeth Hutson. The public is encouraged to report any information about human trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.