An Ypsilanti Township man who has been seeking release from federal custody as he awaits trial on human trafficking charges is now facing another criminal charge.

Jean-Claude Kodjo Toviave, 42, who was previously indicted on charges of forced labor, human trafficking, visa fraud and mail fraud, was charged Monday in a first superseding indictment with bringing in and harboring aliens.

The latest indictment comes five days after Toviave's attorney filed a motion asking that Toviave be released as he awaits trial, arguing that Toviave doesn't pose a danger to the community at large. Toviave is currently being detained without bond.

Toviave

U.S. Marshals Service

Toviave is accused of trafficking four relatives into the U.S. from Africa five years ago and severely beating them or depriving them of food if they failed to complete household chores or do homework. He also has state child abuse charges pending.

Toviave is originally from the West African country of Togo and was granted political asylum in 2002. Prior to his arrest in early May, he worked as a janitor at the University of Michigan and as a part-time tennis instructor at the Huron Valley Tennis Club.

Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.