Exploitation and Manipulation: The Shocking Case of the New Jersey Pastor and His Wife
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Exploitation and Manipulation: The Shocking Case of the New Jersey Pastor and His Wife
[!CDATA[A New Jersey pastor and his wife are accused of exploiting church members through fear and forced labor. Treva Edwards, the self-proclaimed pastor, allegedly sexually abused a woman in his church and impregnated her, then pressured her to have an abortion. The couple ran the church, "Jesus is Lord by the Holy Ghost," in Orange, where they coerced individuals facing hardship to perform unpaid labor related to property maintenance. The Edwardses used religious rhetoric to manipulate church members, threatening them with violence and punishments if they did not comply. Treva Edwards, who claimed to be a prophet, controlled every aspect of their lives and forced them to work without pay. The couple obtained contracts for labor through a property management company Christine Edwards worked for, making church members perform various property-related services. Despite their extensive labor, church members were never compensated, as the Edwardses kept the money for themselves. Treva Edwards used fear tactics and emotional abuse to maintain control over the members, requiring them to work late hours, pray extensively, and give up basic needs like food and sleep. He discouraged them from seeking medical care, claiming that God would heal those in good standing with him. In late 2019, the Edwardses held a "struggle session" to prevent a woman from leaving the congregation after she was impregnated by Treva Edwards. The couple allegedly exploited religious faith to manipulate victims and subject them to sexual violence and forced labor conditions. If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy charges, with additional penalties for sex trafficking and forced labor. The U.S. Attorney's Office is pursuing charges against Treva and Christine Edwards for their alleged exploitation of church members. The case highlights the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from manipulation and abuse in religious settings.]]