By: Richard L. Smith
A man who led a self-proclaimed religious organization in Orange, New Jersey, has been indicted on federal charges of sex trafficking and forced labor, officials announced this week.
According to information released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Treva Edwards, 60, and his wife, Christine Edwards, 63, were charged in connection with an alleged scheme that exploited vulnerable individuals under the guise of religious guidance.
The indictment was unsealed following their arrests on April 25, 2025.
Federal prosecutors say the couple operated a church named Jesus is Lord by the Holy Ghost out of a multi-unit apartment building in Orange. Between 2011 and 2020, they allegedly recruited people facing personal hardships, such as financial instability and family struggles, and manipulated them into performing unpaid labor.
Treva Edwards, who claimed to be a prophet, allegedly used threats of spiritual and physical harm to coerce victims into compliance.
Prosecutors say he convinced followers that disobeying him would lead to divine punishment, and that working without pay was a requirement of their faith.
The defendants are accused of securing manual labor contracts and pocketing the proceeds while the victims toiled without compensation.
The indictment further alleges that victims were subjected to harsh control: limited food, sleep deprivation, restricted communication, and isolation from non-members. In one of the most serious accusations, Treva Edwards is alleged to have repeatedly assaulted a victim sexually, impregnated her, and then ordered her to terminate the pregnancy.
Treva Edwards is charged with sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a potential life sentence.
Both Treva and Christine Edwards are also charged with conspiracy to commit forced labor.
They made their initial court appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa and remain in federal custody.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. The investigation remains ongoing.