In a shocking case of labor trafficking, a Nigerian woman was forced to work over 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for Sandra and Chudy Nsobundu, a couple living in Houston, Texas.
The victim, who worked for the couple from September 29, 2013, to October 10, 2015, was subjected to verbal and physical abuse, forced to sleep on the floor between the beds of two minor children, and was not allowed to eat with the family.
Sandra Nsobundu, 50, pleaded guilty to unlawful conduct with respect to documents in furtherance of forced labor, while her husband Chudy Nsobundu, 58, pleaded guilty to visa fraud.
As part of their pleas, the couple agreed to pay restitution to the victim, but argued that the amount should not exceed $30,000. However, an expert with the Wage and Hour Division compiled an extensive report detailing the amount of wages due to the victim, which ultimately led to a court-ordered restitution of $121,035.04.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Atlas ordered the couple to pay the full amount of restitution, along with a fine of $5,000, and serve sentences of 14 months – seven in prison and another seven on home confinement. They will also be required to serve a term of three years of supervised release following completion of the prison term.
The couple’s payments were set at a total of $500 per month, which would have taken more than 20 years for the victim to receive full compensation. However, the U.S. Attorney’s Office uncovered the couple’s significant financial means and immediately worked to obtain their banking information and secure the full restitution payment with interest totaling $121,046.91.
Defendant: Sandra Nsobundu
Criminal Charges: Unlawful conduct with respect to documents in furtherance of forced labor
City and State: Houston, Texas
Date: Not specified
Sentence: 14 months – 7 months in prison and 7 months on home confinement, fine of $5,000, and 3 years of supervised release
Dollar Amounts: $121,035.04 in restitution, $5,000 fine, and $121,046.91 in interest
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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