A United States federal grand jury based in California has charged three officials from the church founded by Apollo Quiboloy.
They were charged of labor trafficking schemes wherein members were being forced to solicit donations.
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In a statement by the United States Attorney’s Office-Central District of California, authorities deduced that Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) members Guia Cabacutlan, Marissa Duenas, and Amanda Estopare all conspired to conduct forced labor, document servitude, immigration fraud, and marriage fraud.
The decision also states that the suspects allegedly urged church members to head towards the US and claim that they will be performing for US events.
Upon arrival, the victims will be forced to surrender their passports and would instead be required to work for Children’s Joy Foundation USA (CJF).
The US lawyers said that money raised was allegedly used for the lavish lifestyle of KOJC church leaders.
“Other KOJC workers were unaware of the actual purpose until they were forced to to solicit on the streets nearly every day, year-round, working very long hours, and often sleeping in cars overnight,” the indictment alleged.
The suspects also allegedly arranged fixed marriages. Immigration records in the complaint detailed that there were 82 marriages of KOJC and church members over the past two decades.
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72 Filipino passports, seven United States passports, and one Ukrainian passport, as well as four male wedding rings and three female weddings were retrieved by US authorities within the KOJC compound.
The arraignment schedule for the three accused is set on February 20.