A Togolese man living in New Jersey has admitted his role in the smuggling of dozens of girls and young women who were forced to work at hair-braiding salons in Newark and East Orange.
Lassissi Afolabi, of East Orange, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to conspiring with other people, including his former wife, to commit forced labor. Prosecutors say the girls were forced to work six or seven days a week and turn over all of their earnings to the defendants.