Sect Guilty of Enslaving Children
Associated Press
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. —
The leader of the House of Judah religious sect and six subordinates were convicted today of enslaving children and causing a boy’s death.
“The intent of the defendants was that the children had no choice but to do their work or be subject to brutal beatings,” said U.S. District Judge Douglas Hillman, who decided the case after the defendants requested a non-jury trial. William A. Lewis, his mistress, his son and four members of the cult council could be sentenced to up to life in prison.
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