Man's sentence in NJ forced labor case delayed

NEWARK, N.J.

A judge has postponed the case of a Togolese citizen living in New Jersey who was due to be sentenced Tuesday for his role in the smuggling of girls and young women who were forced to work at hair braiding salons.

Geoffry Kouevi was found guilty in August of visa fraud.

U.S. District Judge Jose Linares says additional documents are needed to settle a dispute over how much prison time Kouevi should get.

Prosecutors say at least 20 people were brought from Togo using fraudulent visas and forced to work for no pay.

Lassissi Afolabi was sentenced in July to more than 24 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring with his ex-wife and her son to commit forced labor.

Afolabi's ex-wife faces sentencing in September. Her son received a 55-month prison term.