Thread: Michigan resident convicted in human trafficking case

Feds seek 9-year prison term for African man convicted in Michigan forced child labor case

Published March 25, 2013
Associated Press

DETROIT – Prosecutors are seeking at least nine years in prison for an African man who was convicted of forcing children to work as slaves at his Ypsilanti home.

The government also is asking a judge to order Jean-Claude Toviave to pay two of the children $60,000 each. Four victims last fall told jurors that Toviave, a native of Togo, forced them to perform household duties for nearly five years until January 2011.
Toviave will be sentenced Monday in Detroit federal court.

The four children emigrated from Togo in 2006 with fraudulent papers. They said Toviave beat them if they didn't follow his orders. One says he prayed for freedom or death.

In a court filing, defense attorney Randall Roberts acknowledges that Toviave's "family experiment went horribly off the rails."

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/03/25/feds-seek-year-prison-term-for-african-man-convicted-in-michigan-forced-child/

Read more: Feds seek 9-year prison term for African man convicted in Michigan forced child labor case | Fox News

More this asylum seeker.

New charge filed against Ypsilanti Township man accused of trafficking children into U.S.

By LEE HIGGINS
Posted on Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 9:27 a.m.

An Ypsilanti Township man who has been seeking release from federal custody as he awaits trial on human trafficking charges is now facing another criminal charge.

Jean-Claude Kodjo Toviave, 42, who was previously indicted on charges of forced labor, human trafficking, visa fraud and mail fraud, was charged Monday in a first superseding indictment with bringing in and harboring aliens.

The latest indictment comes five days after Toviave's attorney filed a motion asking that Toviave be released as he awaits trial, arguing that Toviave doesn't pose a danger to the community at large. Toviave is currently being detained without bond.



Toviave
U.S. Marshals Service


Toviave is accused of trafficking four relatives into the U.S. from Africa five years ago and severely beating them or depriving them of food if they failed to complete household chores or do homework. He also has state child abuse charges pending.

Toviave is originally from the West African country of Togo and was granted political asylum in 2002. Prior to his arrest in early May, he worked as a janitor at the University of Michigan and as a part-time tennis instructor at the Huron Valley Tennis Club.

Tags: ICE, Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department,

New charge filed against Ypsilanti Township man accused of trafficking children into U.S.