Seven people have been charged in New Jersey in connection with the dismantling of two human trafficking rings, according to the AG’s office

A total of seven people have been charged in two separate human trafficking rings in New Jersey, the attorney general’s office announced Tuesday.

One of the human trafficking rings was based in Cumberland County, South Jersey, and the other was based in Essex County, North Jersey.

According to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, 42-year-old Usiel Luna, 40-year-old Jose Perez-Lopez, 35-year-old Rosendo Vazquez-Hernandez and 28-year-old Yerson Puentes-Marquez are Bridgeton residents Individuals have been charged for their involvement in drug trafficking and running a brothel at a Cumberland County home.

The suspects allegedly lured women to the home on North Laurel Street in Bridgeton under the pretext that they would work as dancers, but were then subjected to commercial sex.

According to the AG’s office, additional groups of women from Queens, New York, and Paterson, New Jersey, were brought to the brothel each week, where they were forced to engage in commercial sex with hundreds of men each week.

The victims witnessed violent activity at the brothel and were ordered by Luna not to leave the premises, the AG’s office said.

Investigators also reportedly seized distributable quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, as well as over $50,000 in cash from the brothel and Luna’s home.

“Our top priority remains the safety and well-being of our communities, and we will not rest until every victim is protected from harm and restored to safety,” said Col. Patrick J. Callahan, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.

3 defendants in Essex County human trafficking ring

Meanwhile, Newark residents Khailah Meekins, 21, and Donte Barkley, 28, were charged Monday for allegedly trafficking two 15-year-olds and a 13-year-old. Richard Johnson, 24, of Irvington, New Jersey, was also charged with aggravated assault on August 14 after he allegedly paid a minor to have sexual relations with him.

According to the AG’s office, the suspects allegedly advertised sexual encounters with the child sex trafficking victims online and posted nude photos of them.

Investigators found that the teens were taken to short-term rentals and hotels where the suspects were paid and the victims were sexually abused. The AG’s office said Barkley allegedly arranged the meetings with the victims, told them what sexual acts they should perform with the customers and suggested to Meekins how much money they should charge.

Barkley would allegedly receive a portion of the proceeds Meekins made from the sexual assaults, according to the attorney general’s office.

The suspects also allegedly threatened and abused the teens, sometimes biting them, pulling their hair, hitting them with an extension cord, slapping them and stomping on them, according to the attorney general’s office.

“There is no tolerance for exploiting anyone, especially in this dehumanizing way,” Platkin said. “We urge the public to call our confidential hotline 855-END-NJ-HT if they are a victim or see someone they suspect is experiencing this type of exploitation. We will investigate and prosecute.” ”