NEWARK, NJ — Four individuals have been charged in connection with the human trafficking of a 17-year-old girl, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced on Oct. 14.
The investigation began after the teenage victim, who had been reported as a runaway, contacted law enforcement on Sept. 17 seeking help.
Detectives determined that the victim had been trafficked and forced to engage in acts of prostitution arranged by the defendants.
Following an investigation led by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and assisted by the Newark Police Division, NJIT Department of Public Safety, Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Orange Township Police Department, four women were identified and charged for their alleged roles in the trafficking operation.
Detectives arrested Tajhane Thomas, 29, of Newark, Leslie Martinez, 34, of West Orange, and Amayah Dent, 28, of Maplewood on Oct. 9.
A fourth defendant, Yaislene Arguedas, 29, of Paterson, remains at large.
The defendants each face multiple criminal charges including first-degree human trafficking, first-degree conspiracy to commit human trafficking, first-degree promoting organized street crime, first-degree promoting prostitution of a child, first-degree conspiracy to promote prostitution of a child, and endangering the welfare of a child.
Thomas is also charged with third-degree sexual assault, possession of approximately 250 decks of heroin with intent to distribute, a crime of the second degree, and possession of heroin within 1,000 feet of a school, a third-degree crime.
First-degree human trafficking convictions carry a potential sentence of 20 years to life in New Jersey State Prison.
