A dozen leaders of a California church are charged with subjecting dozens of homeless people to forced labor. 'Human trafficking robs victims of their most basic human rights,' said FBI agent Scott Brunner.
Members of the Imperial Valley Ministries were arrested Tuesday in Californian cities El Centro and San Diego and in Brownsville, Texas, after reportedly coercing homeless people into surrendering their welfare benefits and forcing them to beg for up to nine hours a day, six days a week. The donations they received would then allegedly go to into the pockets of church leaders.
Members of the Imperial Valley Ministries pray with a homeless man downtown Calexico, California on January 16, 2011.Imperial Valley Ministries claims its mission is to"restore" those grappling with drug addiction at free faith-based rehabilitation group homes. It also raise money to open churches and rehab centers in other cities.
The agreements also allegedly warned that any rule-breaking would be met with"discipline." Punishments reportedly included the withholding of food: In one instance, church leaders allegedly refused to allow a diabetic woman to obtain insulin or food in response to her low blood sugar. One 17-year-old former recruit claimed he broke a window and ran to a neighboring property to call the police. The teen was brought to a medical center to be treated for lacerations.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Cyber firm NSO vows to tackle human rights misuseThe Israeli-based NSO Group said on Tuesday it would abide by U.N. guidelines to...
Consulte Mais informação »
Behind Holly Herndon’s Radically Human AI Music.HollyHerndon's latest album, PROTO, is essentially her doctoral thesis come to life. See it here.
Consulte Mais informação »
Sioux Falls buildings are shredded by a tornado as the mayor cites 'human error' for siren mishapA storm that tore across Sioux Falls overnight was so treacherous, even weather forecasters had to pause their work and hunker down. The severe weather that struck South Dakota's largest city spawned at least 1 tornado, the National Weather Service said.
Consulte Mais informação »
California church leaders charged with forced labor of homeless, US attorney saysA 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.
Consulte Mais informação »
California ministry charged with forced labor of homeless peopleChurch leaders in California have been arrested, accused of holding homeless people in locked group homes and forcing them to panhandle up to nine hours a day.
Consulte Mais informação »