Crime & Safety
West Orange Woman Accused Of Sex Trafficking Teen Girl
Four women have been accused of "human trafficking" a teenage girl. Three have been arrested and one remains at-large, prosecutors said.
WEST ORANGE, NJ — Four women have been accused of “human trafficking” a teenage girl in Essex County. Three have been arrested and a fourth is at-large, authorities said Tuesday.
According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the 17-year-old victim was previously reported as a runaway. Authorities launched an investigation after she contacted law enforcement officers on Sept. 17 and sought help.
Detectives determined that the teen was trafficked and forced to engage in acts of prostitution.
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After a multi-agency investigation, authorities identified four people as suspects in the case: Tajhane Thomas, 29, of Newark, Leslie Martinez, 34, of West Orange, Amayah Dent, 28, of Maplewood, and Yaislene Arguedas, 29, of Paterson.
Thomas, Martinez and Dent were arrested on Oct. 9. Arguedas remains at-large (see photo below).
Find out what's happening in West Orangefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The four women 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, prosecutors said.
Agencies involved in the investigation included the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, The Newark Police Division, NJIT Department of Public Safety, Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Orange Township Police Department.
Authorities said anyone with information regarding this case can contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.
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