A grand jury in New Jersey has hit a local husband-and-wife pastoral team with severe federal charges, accusing them of running a church as a front to trap followers in forced labor and sexual abuse for 15 years.
Treva Edwards, 61, faces charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, forced labor, and conspiracy. His wife, Christine Edwards, 64, is charged alongside him with conspiracy to commit forced labor.
Federal investigators say the couple ran a church called “Jesus is Lord by the Holy Ghost” out of an apartment building in Orange, New Jersey. Between 2010 and 2025, the couple allegedly targeted people going through tough times, like family drama or money problems, and convinced them to move into the building. Once inside, prosecutors say Treva Edwards claimed he was a prophet who spoke directly for God, warning followers that if they disobeyed him, God would punish them with sickness, poverty, and hell.
According to the indictment, the couple used the victims to make money. They locked down contracts for manual labor around town, forcing victims to shovel snow, clear out raw sewage, exterminate rats, and clean out gutted buildings. The Edwardses allegedly pocketed all the cash from these jobs and paid the victims absolutely nothing.
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To keep control, the couple enforced bizarre, strict rules. The indictment states they chose when victims could sleep and talk, banned them from speaking to outsiders, and told them that anyone outside the church was possessed by the devil. Victims were reportedly fed just once a day, usually after a full day of hard labor, and were deeply sleep-deprived.
The allegations against Treva Edwards go even further. Prosecutors say he physically and sexually assaulted two of the victims. He allegedly got one victim pregnant and forced her to get an abortion. He told another victim that having sex with him was “God’s will” and the only thing keeping her from going crazy.
If convicted, the couple faces massive prison time. The sex trafficking charges against Treva Edwards carry a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison. The forced labor charges can also carry a life sentence because of the sexual abuse allegations. Because these are federal charges, there is no chance of parole.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Department of Labor. Law enforcement officials are actively looking for more information. HSI Newark wants anyone who knows anything about Treva Edwards, Christine Edwards, or their church to call their tip line at (866) 347-2423.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, help is available by calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1 (888) 373-7888.
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