By DAN MARGOLIES
Kansas News Service

A federal judge has frozen the assets of a Kansas City, Kansas-based sect that was hit with a $7.9 million judgment last year for human trafficking.

U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson found that members of the group formerly known as the United Nation of Islam had fraudulently transferred assets to non-profit groups they created in order to prevent Kendra Ross, the woman who obtained the judgment, from collecting the money.

The United Nation of Islam was formed four decades ago by a Kansas City, Kansas, truck driver named Royall Jenkins who once proclaimed himself to be Allah. Once a member of the Nation of Islam, Jenkins formed the splinter group after he fell out with the Nation of Islam.

Last May, U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree ordered Jenkins and The Value Creators Inc., a successor group to the United Nation of Islam, to pay $7.9 million in damages to Ross for making her work for them without pay over the course of a decade. The judgment is thought to be the largest ever handed down in a human trafficking case.

“Here, with reckless disregard for plaintiff’s health and safety, defendants intentionally and maliciously trafficked and forced her to work in their residences for excessive hours – all with no pay or benefits,” Crabtree wrote in his 57-page ruling.

Ross, who said she was forced to work for the sect starting when she was 11 years old, alleged that Jenkins had at least 13 wives and 20 children. She said she was forced to cook, clean, babysit and work without pay or benefits. She also said she was subjected to physical and emotional abuse, and was rarely given time off.

She now lives at an undisclosed location.

In November, Crabtree issued a bench warrant for Jenkins’ arrest after finding that he had ignored court orders. Jenkins remains at large.

The Value Creators once operated a variety of businesses in the Quindaro district of Kansas City, Kansas, with names like Your Diner, Your Supermarket, Your Service Station and Your Colonic Center.

More recently, it opened a “teaching restaurant” called The Royall Touch directly across the street from the federal courthouse where it was sued by Ross. The Kansas City Business Journal reported in December that the restaurant received zoning, planning and building inspection approvals from the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas and passed a health inspection.

Members of The Value Creators did not return a phone message left for them at the restaurant.

On the day Crabtree handed down his judgment, a member of The Value Creators incorporated a nonprofit called The Promise Keepers,  Inc. and a few months later another group called The Promise Keepers 417 Inc. The assets of The Value Creators were subsequently transferred to the newly formed groups.

Judge Robinson’s temporary restraining order prohibits new groups from disposing of their assets. It also bars them from opening or closing accounts and from opening “any new entities or trusts” without prior court approval.

Elizabeth Hutson, one of Ross’ attorneys, said she was pleased with the ruling.

“Our goal is to prevent the transfer of assets in further frustration of Ms. Ross’ ability to collect on the judgment entered last May,” she said.

Dan Margolies is a senior reporter and editor in conjunction with the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter @DanMargolies.

SALINA — The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announced Eric L. Brown has been appointed to lead the chamber as its new president and CEO. Brown will succeed Don Weiser, who announced his retirement earlier this year after 43 years with the Chamber.

Brown is currently the Vice President of Economic Development and his first official day in his new role will be May 1. As President and CEO, he will help set the future direction of the Salina business community through economic development, public policy, and continuation of the excellent Chamber programs and services that membership has come to expect.

“I’m humbled and thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce,” said Brown. “It is an exciting time to be in Salina and I look forward to working with the board of directors, staff, business community, and community partners to capture and expand on Salina’s momentum.”

Brown has been with the Chamber since 2011 and has served in three economic development related roles; prior to his time on Chamber staff, he worked for Kansas State Polytechnic and The Arnold Group.

“Eric has worked diligently over the last eight years to further his professional education and hone his skills as a Chamber Executive. He is passionate about Salina and Saline County businesses, and brings the enthusiasm, knowledge, and leadership needed to keep the chamber at the forefront of everything happening in our community,” said Joyce Volk, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Board Chair. “In addition, he is well-acquainted with leaders in Salina, understands the business climate in our community and across Kansas, and those strong relationships will enable him to move the chamber forward very effectively.”

Brown received his undergraduate degree from Fort Hays State University and a Masters of Business Administration from Kansas Wesleyan University. He holds a Workforce Development Professional Certification from the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, is a graduate of the US Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management and was also awarded the 2014 Carol D. Ahlvers, Ph.D. Distinguished MBA Alumnus Award from Kansas Wesleyan University. Brown and his wife, Danielle, have two children and have called Salina home since 2006.

SEDGICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.

A 15-year-old girl reported to police in Cheney an incident that allegedly occurred to her and a man she knew in April of 2018, according to Wichita Police officer Charley Davidson.

On Wednesday, police arrested 39-year-old Timothy M. Miller on requested charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to the Sedgwick County booking report.

He remained in jail Friday on a $100,000 bond, according to online jail records.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — One person died in an accident just before 2a.m. Friday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Toyota Camry driven by Brooke L Spainhower, 24, Wichita, was westbound on Kansas 254 at Oliver.

The driver failed to negotiate the curved and struck end of the bridge rail. The vehicle caught on fire.

Spainhower was pronounced dead at the scene. Seatbelt usage was unavailable due to the fire.