Federal authorities have arrested a Texas husband and wife for allegedly
forcing a 38-year-old Nigeria national to care for their five children
over a two-year-period and never paying her, PEOPLE confirms.
A statement from the Federal Bureau of Investigation alleges that Chudy
and Sandra Nsobundu, 56 and 50, respectively, were detained on Monday on
charges of forced labor, withholding documents, conspiracy to harbor an
illegal immigrant and visa fraud.
Investigators contend the Nsobundus held the woman captive for two years
and even seized her passport, preventing her from leaving the country.
The couple allegedly abused the woman physically and verbally, forcing her
to clean, cook, and care for their children from 5:30 a.m. until 1 a.m.
The couple “regularly referred to the victim as ‘the idiot,'” according to
an FBI statement, and also told the woman “she could not watch television
or even sit down during her work hours. She was also allegedly told to
sleep on the floor and could not use warm water to bathe or wash her
hair.”
Authorities also claim “she was not allowed to eat fresh food and was only
permitted the leftovers from the previous prepared meals,” and that “if
the victim even wanted some milk for her tea, she would have to actually
strain the milk out of the children’s cereal bowls.”
The woman mostly spent her days inside the Nsobundus’ home and was allowed
out only for short walks, investigators allege.
The couple never made good on their promise to pay the woman $100 a month
for her services, according to the FBI.
If convicted of forced labor, the Nsobundus face up to 20 years in federal
prison. Visa fraud carries a maximum penalty of 25 years while the
withholding documents and harboring conspiracy charges carry a maximum
five and 10 years, respectively.
All of the charges could also result in a $250,000 in fines.
It was unclear Wednesday whether the Chudy Nsobundu had legal
representation. Joan Nwuli, Sandra Nsobundu’s attorney, was unavailable
for comment Wednesday.