DETROIT — One of two men accused of bringing Eastern European women to the United States and forcing them to work as exotic dancers pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy charges.

Michail Aronov, 33, a Lithuanian citizen living in the Chicago area, was arrested in February after two Ukrainian women escaped from him and a business partner and told federal agents the men had enslaved them.

Aronov pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit forced labor, immigration violations and money laundering, U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Murphy said in a statement.

As part of his plea agreement, Aronov admitted he and his partners kept the women’s passports, threatened to report them to the government as illegal immigrants if they tried to leave, imposed thousands of dollars in debts on them, and subjected them to threats and violence.

Aronov faces up to 30 years in prison and a $750,000 fine. He also agreed to forfeit more than $537,000 to the government. A sentencing date had not be schedule Thursday, and Aronov remained in custody.

Murphy said Aronov had also agreed to cooperate with prosecutors investigating others linked to the case.

Aleksandr Maksimenko, 25, was arrested with Aronov and awaits trial.

Authorities have said at least four women brought from the Ukraine were forced to work 12-hour days as exotic dancers at a Detroit topless bar. The women were placed in protective custody after Aronov and Maksimenko were arrested.