Woman Enslaved By Katy Couple Awarded $121K

HOUSTON – A Nigerian national who was enslaved by a Katy couple for more than two years, was awarded a check totaling more than $121,000 in restitution from the U.S. Attorney's Office on Wednesday.

“This woman now has a better chance at a fresh start,” U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick said. “We cannot undo the mental and physical harm she has experienced as a result of what her tormenters did to her. However, what we can do is give her what she is owed and the ability to regain some financial stability.”

The victim, known in this case as the Katy Nanny, was presented with a check for the full amount of restitution owed to her by Sandra and Chudy Nsobundu, who brought her to the US to serve as their nanny for their five children, under the guise of a better life.

However, during her more than two years with the couple, the victim was forced to work practically 24 hours a day, seven days a week and was subjected to verbal and physical abuse.

She could not eat with the family and was forced to sleep on the floor between the beds of two minor children.

The victim was rescued Oct. 10, 2015, after more than two years with Nsobundus in the U.S. following a tip to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.

READ: Katy Couple Who Enslaved Nanny Ordered To Prison

In January, the Nsobundu's were sent to federal prison.

Sandra Nsobundu, 50, pleaded guilty to unlawful conduct with respect to documents in furtherance of forced labor, while her husband - Chudy Nsobundu, 58, pleaded to visa fraud.

As part of their plea bargain, the couple agreed to pay restitution to the victim but argued that amount should not exceed $30,000 for the entire time the woman worked for them.

However, an expert with the Department of Labor – Wage and Hour Division compiled an extensive report detailing the amount of wages due to the victim was substantially more.

At a hearing that concluded Jan. 5, U.S. District Judge Nancy Atlas ordered the couple to pay $121,035.04 in restitution to the victim, and ordered them to serve 14 months in prison, and another seven months on house arrest.

In addition to the restitution, Sandra Nsobundu was further ordered to pay an additional $5,000 fine per the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015.

Both will also be required to serve a term of three years of supervised release following completion of the prison term.

In typical restitution matters, defendants are ordered to pay a set amount monthly, which is usually not set to begin until the complete the service of their sentences.

In this case, the Nsobundus payments were set at a total of $500 per month, which would have taken more than 20 years to fully repay.

During their investigation, U.S. Attorney’s Office uncovered the Nsobunsu’s significant financial means and secure the full restitution payment with interest totaling $121,046.91.

The woman had begun working for the couple from on or about Sept. 29, 2013, through Oct. 10, 2015.

Throughout the period she worked for the couple, she was not allowed to have her passport or visa, and was led to believe that failure to perform the labor and services would result in serious harm to her.

Prosecutors learned that the couple restricted her movements, berated, scolded and verbally abused the woman, and that she as never paid.

The Nsobundus had previously agreed to pay the victim 20,000 Nigerian nairas-$100 U.S. per month. The Nsobundus never paid the victim for any of her work here in the United States.

“Labor trafficking often hides in plain sight,” said Patrick. “Suburban neighbors saw something was out of place and listened to their instincts when stories did not add up. They brought this case to light. We need the public’s help to notify law enforcement. If you see something, say something. A simple phone call ended this victim’s bondage.”

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