CA - Church Leaders Charged in Forced Labor of Homeless U.S. Attorney says

"A dozen leaders of a California-based ministry have been indicted by a federal grand jury, accused of forced labor of mostly homeless people, a US attorney said.

Imperial Valley Ministries leaders recruited people by promising food and shelter, and instead forced them to beg for money for nine hours a day, six days a week and to give up their welfare benefits "for the financial benefit of the church leaders," prosecutors said in a news release Tuesday that announced the indictment had been unsealed.

 

 

 

The ministry leaders will face charges of conspiracy, forced labor, document servitude and benefits fraud, US Attorney Robert Brewer said. 

 

The ministry operates nondenominational churches and group homes in the United States and Mexico."

 

Full article Here

Human Trafficking Cases Jump 25% in 2018

According to the Polaris Project, Human Trafficking is up 25% in 2018.

"Cases of labor trafficking decreased by 2 percent, indicating that the current climate of fear in immigrant and minority communities is likely suppressing reports to the National Hotline. Globally, as well as in the United States, experts believe labor trafficking is far more widespread than sex trafficking. 

Yet, the cases reported to the National Hotline rarely reflect that. A total of 1,249 cases of labor trafficking were reported in 2018, compared to 1,276 in 2017. 

This World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, as human trafficking reports are on the rise but labor trafficking cases continue to be under reported, it is imperative to remember that human trafficking comes in all forms, not just sex trafficking. It is time to shift the narrative and help connect survivors of the 25 types of human trafficking to services and support."

Read full article Here

Here is their list of 25 types of human trafficking: 

Recreational Facilities

Health Care Industry

Forestry & Logging 

Carnivals

Remote Interactive Sexual Acts 

Factories & Manufacturing  

Commercial Cleaning Services

Arts & Entertainment

Illicit Acts 

Landscaping

Hotels & Hospitality 

Construction

Health & Beauty Services 

Personal Sexual Servitude

Agriculture & Animal Husbandry 

Peddling & Begging 

Restaurants & Food Service

Traveling Sales Crews

Pornography

Bars, Strip Clubs & Cantinas

Domestic Work

Residential 

Outdoor Solicitation 

Illicit Massage, Health & Beauty

Escort Services 

Our reports indicate a lot of labor trafficking and exploitation is occurring in faith based communities, which are mostly all approved as 501c3 non-profit, tax exempt organizations - as well as spiritual enlightenment / self-help / half-way house type groups - which are Not regulated at all.  

We have put in a call to the Polaris Project to see about collaboration.

The FACT Team

Religious Boarding School Owners Arrested on Labor Trafficking Students

"The owners of a religious boarding school that was once raided in Alabama have been arrested in Baldwin County and transported to Texas to face human trafficking charges.

Gary Dwayne Wiggins, 49, and wife Meghann Shereen Wiggins, 34, were arrested in Alabama shortly after a Texas grand jury indicted them Aug. 6 on one count each of human trafficking, according to the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office in Texas.

 

The couple are accused of forcing four underage boys to work for a lawn care company they owned, according to court documents."

Read the Full Story HERE 

 

15 Apps Parents Need to Know About to Help Protect Their Kids

"With several recent reports of arrests made after online predator and human trafficking stings, law enforcement officers around the country are reminding parents about potentially dangerous apps their kids could have access to."

See video and list of Apps Here 

 

Evangelical Megachurch Sued for More Than $1 Million in Child Sexual Abuse Case

"A woman who said she was sexually abused as a child by a pastor at one of the country’s most prominent evangelical megachurches sued the church on Friday, alleging gross negligence and seeking more than $1 million in damages.

The case against the Village Church — which is based in Flower Mound, Tex., outside Dallas, and is led by Matt Chandler — is perhaps the most high-profile current lawsuit alleging child sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention. It comes as the largest Protestant denomination in the United States has vowed to address widespread sexual abuse in its congregations.

The suit alleges that the church was “willfully negligent” in its failure to protect a child in its care from being sexually assaulted. It also says the church is liable for the actions of the pastor, who was removed from the staff last year. The woman is seeking damages after she says the abuse caused emotional distress, including an ongoing struggle with depression."

Read Full New York Times Article HERE