Ore. couple allegedly 'lured' cousins from N.Y., tortured and forced them into 'involuntary servitude'
06/14/2023 12:41 pm PDT
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (TCD) -- Police arrested a 35-year-old man and 27-year-old woman on multiple charges for allegedly promising two victims work but instead ended up torturing them and holding them against their will.
According to Grants Pass Police, on Sunday, June 11, at 5:12 p.m., a 22-year-old male called 911 and said he had escaped from a home on the 1500 block of Ben Aire Circle after being "forced into involuntary servitude for months" by his cousin, Eastwood Mohammed Mannan, and Cassie Jo Gudino. Police found the victim and "assisted with ensuring his safety."
During the investigation, detectives learned Mannan and Gudino allegedly "lured" the victim and his 19-year-old sister from New York "with promises of freedom and a job." The 19-year-old, however, was still reportedly being held involuntarily at the residence.
Grants Pass Police allege Mannan and Gudino "forced the victims to work through the use of torture and fear of serious physical injury." Mannan and Gudino also allegedly made the victims give them all the money they earned from remote work.
On Monday, June 12, Grants Pass Police detectives and SWAT members searched the home and arrested Mannan and Gudino. Detectives rescued the 19-year-old and took her to a hospital, where she received medical attention. Police said she will return to New York and reunite with family.
According to court records cited by Oregon Live, Gudino and Mannan allegedly burned the female victim with a torch, forced her to take cold showers, and hit her when she "broke rules or made mistakes."
The female victim reportedly arrived in Oregon in June 2022, and her brother arrived later. He was reportedly not allowed to speak to his family and would be beaten if he did not adhere to the rules. The 22-year-old male reportedly had broken ribs and burn marks on his body when Grants Pass Police found him over the weekend.
When police spoke with the teen, she allegedly blamed her brother for injuries on her body. Police, however, said it sounded like "a coached statement."
Josephine County Jail records show Mannan is being held on charges of aggravated assault — unlawful use of a weapon, four counts of first-degree kidnapping, two counts of involuntary servitude, and two counts of aggravated assault. Gudino was booked on four counts of first-degree kidnapping and two counts of involuntary servitude. They are both being held on $500,000 bond.
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