Texas couple indicted on charges they enslaved Guinean girl

FORT WORTH, Texas – The son and daughter-in-law of a former West African leader have been indicted on charges that they enslaved a girl from their native country while living in Texas.

Mohamed Toure (too-RAY’) and his wife, Denise Cros-Toure, were named in an indictment returned Wednesday. The Fort Worth residents, both 57, are charged with forced labour, alien harbouring and conspiracy. Mohamed Toure also is charged with making false statements to federal agents.

The indictments allege the pair brought a girl from Guinea in 2000 and forced her to work in their home for 16 years without pay. Neighbors helped the woman escape in August 2016.

The couple was arrested in April. Defence attorneys have denied the charges.

Mohamed Toure is the son of the late Ahmed Sekou (SHEE’-koo) Toure, the first president of Guinea.

The defendants face decades in prison, if convicted.