In a harrowing case that has shaken the religious community and exposed a horrifying abuse of spiritual authority, federal prosecutors have accused a self-proclaimed pastor from New Jersey and his wife of orchestrating a decade-long campaign of forced labour, psychological manipulation, and sexual exploitation.
Pastor Treva Edwards, 60, and his wife Christine Edwards, 63, stand at the center of a federal indictment that details deeply disturbing allegations surrounding their control over vulnerable members of their congregation at the Jesus is Lord by the Holy Ghost church, based in their apartment building in Orange, New Jersey.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Jersey, the couple lured victims through their church by exploiting individuals who were already facing personal hardships—financial instability, broken family ties, or spiritual confusion.
The victims were manipulated through a façade of religious devotion and fear of divine punishment. What followed, prosecutors allege, was nearly a decade of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse hidden beneath the veil of a religious mission.
Spiritual Manipulation and Psychological Control
At the heart of the prosecution’s case is the claim that Pastor Treva Edwards and Christine Edwards used religion not to uplift or guide but as a weapon to enslave. Victims were told that disobedience to the couple’s commands would bring divine wrath and personal suffering.
Treva Edwards allegedly claimed to be a prophet with direct communication from God, creating a powerful dynamic of fear and submission. Victims were made to believe that refusing to work, pray, or even surrender their personal autonomy would result in losing God’s favor.
The Edwardses allegedly crafted a closed, cult-like environment. Victims were cut off from the outside world, told that outsiders were demonic or evil, and their communication and movements were tightly monitored. This isolation was key to the couple’s control, allowing them to indoctrinate followers without interference or scrutiny.
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Prosecutors state that victims were even deprived of sleep and food—fed only once per day—and were made to follow an intense routine of physical labor and religious devotion. This routine, coupled with the denial of basic necessities and the constant reminder of spiritual consequences, served to break down resistance and foster absolute dependence on the couple.
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The victims’ unpaid labour was allegedly sold as a service to others, with Treva and Christine pocketing the proceeds. Those who performed the work saw none of the rewards, further deepening their economic vulnerability. The couple exploited this desperation, continually reinforcing the narrative that their suffering was part of God’s divine plan and that salvation required obedience.
Allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Violence
Among the most serious accusations is that Treva Edwards engaged in sexual abuse under the guise of spiritual necessity. Federal prosecutors allege that he physically and sexually assaulted at least one woman repeatedly, ultimately impregnating her.
When she became pregnant, he reportedly pressured her to have an abortion, asserting that it was God’s will. These acts, according to authorities, were not isolated but part of a systemic abuse of power, where religious teachings were twisted to serve the predators’ desires.
The sexual exploitation extended beyond the physical, with Treva Edwards allegedly using fear and spiritual manipulation to coerce compliance. Victims were told that their bodies belonged to the ministry, that they were chosen for divine tasks, and that refusing his advances would bring spiritual doom. These tactics bear the hallmarks of coercive control—a deliberate and methodical breaking of a person’s will using fear, manipulation, and dependence.
The criminal charges brought against Treva Edwards reflect the gravity of these accusations. He faces not only conspiracy to commit forced labour but also charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. The sexual trafficking charges, in particular, carry a sentence of 15 years to life in prison. Meanwhile, both Treva and Christine Edwards face up to 20 years to life for the conspiracy charges if convicted.
Legal Action and the Fight Against Human Trafficking
Following the federal indictment filed last week, the Edwardses were taken into custody. At the time of the announcement, federal prosecutors had not confirmed whether the couple had retained legal representation.
The case represents one of the more egregious examples of spiritual abuse and forced labour uncovered in recent years in the United States, and it underscores the complex and insidious ways human trafficking can manifest—often hidden in plain sight behind closed doors and cloaked in religious rhetoric.
U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba issued a strong statement, emphasizing that this prosecution is part of a broader commitment to combat human trafficking in all its forms.
“These charges are an example of my office’s tireless commitment to combating human trafficking in our community,” she said. “We are committed to working alongside our partners to ensure that those who target the most vulnerable are brought to justice.”
This case not only highlights the terrifying reality of forced labour and sexual trafficking but also raises larger questions about how religious institutions can be manipulated by predatory leaders.
While faith can offer hope and purpose, it can also become a tool for abuse when it is used to silence dissent and justify harm. The Edwardses allegedly built a kingdom of suffering by weaponizing their congregants’ belief in God and fear of spiritual condemnation.
As the legal proceedings move forward, federal authorities are likely to delve deeper into the operations of the Jesus is Lord by the Holy Ghost church, possibly uncovering further victims or enablers of the abuse.
Advocacy groups and legal experts have called for additional oversight and accountability mechanisms for small, independent religious groups, especially when they are involved in close-knit or isolated communities.
If convicted on all counts, the Edwardses will face potentially decades behind bars. But the scars they allegedly inflicted—physical, emotional, and spiritual—will likely last far longer for their victims. The trial will not only serve as a legal reckoning but also as a critical moment of awareness for communities across the country.
Abuse, even when wrapped in the garb of religion, must be exposed and condemned. This case may serve as a reminder that vigilance, compassion, and justice are needed not just in courts, but in communities of faith as well.