CAMDEN, NJ – A couple from Burlington County, New Jersey, was convicted today of multiple federal crimes, including forced labor. Bolaji Bolarinwa, 50, and Isiaka Bolarinwa, 67, were found guilty after a two-week trial in Camden federal court, presided over by U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams. The charges included two counts of forced labor each and additional counts relating to alien harboring and document servitude.
The U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the severity of the crimes, describing a bait-and-switch tactic that promised the victims a better life in the United States but subjected them to extreme labor conditions, physical, and psychological abuse. The verdict comes after evidence presented in court showed that from December 2015 to October 2016, the Bolarinwas, both U.S. citizens originally from Nigeria, exploited the victims who were out of lawful status in the U.S.
The first victim was coerced into domestic labor and childcare for nearly a year starting in December 2015, under threats of physical harm and constant surveillance, while the second victim, who arrived in April 2016, faced similar abuses. The abuse continued until October 2016, when the second victim reached out for help, leading to FBI involvement.
The Justice Department and FBI officials have highlighted the case as a significant victory against human trafficking, underscoring their commitment to prosecuting such abuses vigorously.