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Four more arrested in connection with fish market child labour

Published:Saturday | January 13, 2018 | 12:00 AM

 

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP):

Four women charged in connection with a religious organisation that police say forced children to work in North Carolina fish markets for little or no money have turned themselves in.

The four turned themselves in last Thursday to Cumberland County authorities.

Each faces charges involving child abuse, operating a continuing criminal enterprise, involuntary servitude involving a child, conspiracy and misdemeanour contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Four of 10 suspects in the case were arrested last Wednesday. One of those is 67-year-old John McCollum, who says he's the chief apostle of the religious organisation, based in Godwin.

McCollum has told authorities he doesn't think he committed any crimes.

He's being held on bond of more than $1 million.

Authorities continue to search for two other suspects.