Full Notification

GTPD Media Release: Gloucester Township Police Operation “Holiday Traffick” Targets Promoting Prostitution/Human Trafficking Networks

Date: December 5, 2014
Incident Location: 800 Block of the North Black Horse Pike, Blackwood New Jersey 08012
Case Number: 14-49767

On December 5th, 2014, The Gloucester Township Police Department with assistance of the Camden County Prosecutors Office, New Jersey State Police, Magnolia Police Department, Pine Hill Police Department and the Runnemede Police Department conducted a proactive operation targeting subjects promoting prostitution and who are engaging in Human Trafficking. The operation involved an undercover officer who posed as a customer ordering prostitutes from a website.

The hotel’s staff and management were fully cooperative with law enforcement. The goal of the operation was not to target the prostitutes themselves, who are often women with drug addictions, mental health issues and homeless, but to target those promoting prostitution and the networks that facilitates the sex trade. Eight persons were arrested on charges of Prostitution and Promoting Prostitution.

Three of those charged were drivers (transporters) for the “dates,” which were arranged with the undercover officer. The goal of the operation was to treat the women detained for prostitution as victims, not criminals. All the women arrested immediately spoke with a licensed clinical social worker employed by the Gloucester Township Police Department whom was on hand to counsel the women and direct them towards available social services. The women victims were then interviewed by specially trained detectives. A Mandarian translator from the New Jersey State Police ROIC (Regional Operations Intelligence Center) was also used to facilitate communication with one of the female victims.

“We understand that in an effort to effectively fight crime we must begin to focus beyond the belief that arresting someone is the only way to fight crime,” Chief Earle said. “Community education, prevention efforts, compassion, re-defining what a victim is, and community based partnerships coupled together with arrests must be the way that we solve and prevent crime now and in the future."

The subjects charged in Friday’s operation are as follows:

- Promoting Prostitution (3rd degree)- Steven Durham Lindenwold, NJ 6/15/56
- Engaging in Prostitution – 26 YOA Female Gloucester City, NJ
- Engaging in Prostitution – 28 YOA Female Havertown, PA
- Promoting Prostitution (3rd degree) - Francis T.D. Hamilton Upper Darby PA 9/28/64
- Engaging in Prostitution – 34 YOA Female Drexel Hill PA
- Promoting Prostitution (3rd degree) - Felix S. Vazquez Northfield, NJ 12/7/1974
- Engaging in Prostitution – 45 YOA Female Northfield NJ
- Engaging in Prostitution – 20 YOA Female Philadelphia PA

Date and Time of Media Release: 12/10/2014  0900 Hrs
Media Release By: Capt. A. Minosse #126
Approved By: Deputy Chief D. Harkins #122

The original Gloucester Township Police Media Release can be viewed here in PDF:   GTPD Operation “Holiday Traffick” Targets Promoting Prostitution/Human Trafficking Networks

http://gtpolice.com/?p=3154