NJ Couple Forced Undocumented Laborers To Work, Threatened Violence: Feds

MOORESTOWN, NJ — A Moorestown couple has been charged with forcing undocumented immigrants to work for them and hiding them from authorities, federal officials announced Thursday.

Bolaji Bolarinwa, 47, and Isiaka Bolarinwa, 65, were both charged in an eight-count indictment with two counts of forced labor, according to a statement from the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey. The maximum sentence for these charges is 20 years in prison.

Both face a fine on each count of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or gross loss from the offenses (whichever is greatest).

Bolaji Bolarinwa is also charged with two counts of bringing in and harboring certain aliens, and two counts of unlawful conduct.

From 2015 to 2016, Bolaji "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," officials said. "She abused and threatened abuse of legal process against both victims."

Bolaji "knew that both victims had entered the United States illegally and harbored them from detection for her own financial gain," per the U.S. Attorney's Office.

She also hid the victims' passports and visas, and concealed them from authorities, according to the statement.