Four Bridgeton men accused of luring several women to a home and forcing them to perform sex acts with multiple men in exchange for money were indicted Monday, state Attorney General Matthew Platkin said.
Usiel Luna, 42, who was identified as the leader of the alleged ring, is charged with five counts of human trafficking, racketeering and distribution of methamphetamine.
Jose Perez-Lopez, 40, Rosendo Vazquez-Hernandez, 35, and Yerson Puentes-Martinez, 28, are each charged with four counts of human trafficking.
Perez-Lopez was also charged with racketeering, while Vazquez-Hernandez was also charged with distribution of methamphetamine.
“These crimes are a stark reminder as to why we need to be steadfast in our goal to end human trafficking in all of its forms,†Platkin said during a news conference Tuesday. “As long as I am the attorney general of this state, we are committed to pursue charges against anyone who engages in human trafficking. Our motivation for this work is the victims and the survivors. We fight for everyone who has survived human trafficking and are working to rebuild their lives one step and one day at a time.â€
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The victims were brought to the city from Queens, New York, and Paterson under the impression that they would be working as dancers. However, Luna allegedly forced the women to remain in a home on North Laurel Street, where they were sexually assaulted by hundreds of men, according to J. Stephen Ferketic, director of state Division of Criminal Justice.
Authorities also found distribution amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana in the home, along with more than $50,000, Ferketic said.
The case was investigated by the Division of Criminal Justice’s Human Trafficking Unit in collaboration with State Police. The unit was launched in January 2023 with the goal of identifying and dismantling human trafficking networks, Platkin said.
“We know the FBI considers New Jersey to be a hub for this type of activity because we’re in reach of several major metropolitan areas,†Platkin said. “Ridding the world of human trafficking is not an easy task and not one we will accomplish alone, but as New Jerseyans, we know we are in this fight.â€
Perez-Lopez, Vazquez-Hernandez and Puentes-Martinez each face up to 20 years in prison if convicted, while Luna faces a possible life sentence.
Two individuals from Essex County were also indicted after the Attorney General’s Office said they allegedly trafficked two 15-year-old victims and a 13-year-old for sex through online advertisements and social media.
A 24-year-old Irvington man was indicted on assault charges in August in the Newark case. Platkin’s office alleges the man paid for sex with one of the minors.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
