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  1. #1
    Senior Member JohnDoe2's Avatar
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    Michigan resident convicted in human trafficking case

    I.C.E.News Release

    October 30, 2012
    Detroit, MI

    Michigan resident convicted in human trafficking case


    DETROIT — A Michigan resident was found guilty Tuesday by a federal jury, after less than a day of deliberation, on charges related to the forced slavery of minors from his native Togo. The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Acting Special Agent in Charge William Hayes.
    Evidence introduced during the trial established that Jean-Claude "Kodjo" Toviave, a native of Togo, West Africa, used force, and threats of force, to obtain the domestic labor of four minors from Togo from January 2006 to January 2011.

    Toviave brought the four minors into the United States by giving them passports with false names and dates of birth. In immigration documents, Toviave represented that the four individuals were his biological children. Toviave pleaded guilty Feb. 24 to visa fraud, mail fraud and harboring aliens in connection with bringing the four minors to Michigan from Togo.

    The four victims testified at trial that Toviave regularly beat them with broomsticks, a toilet plunger, sticks, ice scrappers and phone chargers if they failed to obey his orders to complete household labor.

    The victims' testimonies during trial detailed the work they were forced to do on a weekly, and occasionally, daily basis, spanning nearly five years. They were required to cook and clean for the household, wash laundry by hand, iron Toviave's suits, shine his shoes, wash and vacuum his car, babysit his friends' children and clean a friend's home. In addition to force and threats of force, Toviave used food and sleep deprivation as punishment for the minors.

    "This conviction is a victory not only for the young victims in this particular case, but also for human dignity and the rule of law," said Hayes. "HSI is fully committed to working with our law enforcement partners, both local and international, to combat the crime of human trafficking. Sadly, this crime occurs every day in America.

    We encourage anyone who suspects that human trafficking or forced labor is occurring in their community to report it to authorities immediately."

    "Many people are shocked to learn that slavery and human trafficking still exist in this country, but the victims are often hiding in plain sight," said McQuade.

    "We are working with victim advocates and law enforcement agencies to expose these crimes. This conviction and the liberation of these victims occurred because of the diligence of school teachers, advocates, investigators and prosecutors."

    Toviave's sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2013, where he faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

    U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

    ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423 or complete our tip form.




    Michigan resident convicted in human trafficking case
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  2. #2
    Super Moderator Newmexican's Avatar
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    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

  3. #3
    Super Moderator Newmexican's Avatar
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    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.

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