Ukrainian Brothers Who Promised Better Lives Get Prison Time in Pennsylvania Human Trafficking Case

A federal judge in Philadelphia has sentenced two Ukrainian brothers to serve two decades in prison for their roles in a human trafficking operation.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports District Judge Paul Diamond sentenced Mykhaylo Botsvynyuk and Yaroslav Churuk on Thursday, saying they participated in some of the "worst crimes" he'd ever seen.

Both must also pay restitution into a $288,000 fund meant to pay the victims. Both were convicted last year of racketeering conspiracy charges.

Prosecutors say the men recruited family friends and neighbors in the Ukraine, promising legal immigration, a $500-a-month job and free room and board.

The victims worked illegally, cleaning homes, office buildings and businesses. They worked long hours and were fed little. Resistors were beaten or threatened. At least two captives were raped.