America: Pastor and his wife accused of sexually abusing church members, 10 years imprisonment for such act:

News Topical, Digital Desk : A shocking case has come to light from New Jersey, USA. An American pastor and his wife have been accused of making church members work as slaves for 10 years. Apart from work, they are also accused of sexual exploitation.

A self-proclaimed New Jersey pastor and his wife forced church members into slavery and sex for nearly 10 years, telling them God would punish them if they did not comply, federal prosecutors said.

60 year old couple did this work

Let us tell you that this allegation has been leveled against 60-year-old Treva Edwards and his 63-year-old wife Christine. The US Attorney's Office said that 60-year-old Treva Edwards and his 63-year-old wife Christine lured vulnerable locals to the Jesus is Lord by the Holy Ghost Church in their Orange apartment building, and denied them proper food and sleep. Along with this, they forced them to do hard work in the community.

Prosecutors said in a statement: 'The defendants convinced the victims that if they did not work hard they would lose God's grace.'

Food was given only once a day

The defendants isolated victims, monitored their communications and whereabouts, and convinced them that non-members were evil or possessed by the Devil. Edwards reportedly contracted out the services of his recruited slave labor force but kept all the proceeds, fed them only one meal a day, and kept them on a strict regimen of work and prayer.

Federal authorities in the case said the couple allegedly ran the brutal scheme from 2011 to 2020. Prosecutors said they "identified and recruited victims who were experiencing struggles in their personal lives, including financial and family conflicts, while Treva Edwards told them she had a suspicion that she could communicate directly with Gold."

both were taken into custody

Both were taken into custody after being charged, officials said. It was not immediately clear whether they had hired attorneys or were still in federal custody. If convicted, both could face a maximum sentence of 20 years to life in prison on the labor conspiracy charges, prosecutors said.