Sex Slave Sting: Women Held In NJ Homes, Forced Into Brothels, AG Says
Eight people have been charged with racketeering and human trafficking for running a prostitution ring out of several homes in Trenton and Camden, authorities said.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced the charges on Tuesday, July 1, following a months-long investigation that began in May 2024. At least 15 victims were located during raids at five properties, investigators said.
According to the criminal complaints, Vilma Deleon Bracamonte, also known as “Janet,” 55, of Hamilton, and Maria Soledad Xec Chan, 42, of Trenton, were the alleged ringleaders. They face charges …
Newark Woman Hit With 29 Charges In $600K Real Estate, Rent Scam Spree
A Newark woman is facing nearly 30 charges for allegedly stealing more than $600,000 through a string of frauds across New Jersey, authorities said.
Joyce Kirkland, 59, was arrested at her home on the morning of Wednesday, June 25, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel said Friday. Kirkland was charged with 29 counts, including theft, money laundering, forgery, and criminal impersonation.
Prosecutors say Kirkland forged names on deeds, falsified documents, and stole from the State of New Jersey’s Emergency Rental Assistance Programs, taking more than $300,000. She also allegedly forged …
Perth Amboy Beauty Salon Owner Admits She Fraudulently Obtained Covid Loan: Feds
A 42-year-old Perth Amboy woman pleaded guilty on Wednesday, June 25, to fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 loans and pandemic unemployment insurance benefits, authorities said.
Damaris Valerio, who owns and operates La Vogue House of Beauty, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said.
From April 2020 through December 2021, Valerio fraudulently obtained $194,212 in COVID-19 emergency relief funds, which were meant for distressed small businesses and pandemic unemployment insurance benefits for unemployed workers, by submitting false and fraudulent applica…
$5.6M Multi-State Fraud Scheme With 1K+ Stolen IDs Lands Pennsylvania Man Federal Charges: DOJ
A Pennsylvania man is accused of stealing over $5.6 million in pandemic aid using more than 1,000 stolen or fake identities, federal prosecutors announced on Monday, June 16.
Adepoju Babatunde Salako, 32, has been indicted in Colorado on multiple federal charges after allegedly orchestrating a nationwide COVID-19 benefits scam, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.
Salako faces six counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and four counts of aggravated identity theft, according to t…
$46K, Drugs Seized In Hackensack Bust; Man Arrested, Police Say
A Hackensack man is facing serious charges after police say they uncovered a stash of drugs and $46,000 in cash during a motor vehicle stop and a search of his apartment.
On Wednesday, June 11, Detectives Michael Reo and Aaron Rios of Hackensack PD's Crime Suppression Bureau stopped a 2025 Ford Explorer on Route 80 west near East Kennedy Street, Police Chief Michael Antista said.
Inside the vehicle, officers found “a significant amount" of unregulated marijuana and cash, Antista said.
The driver, identified as Felix Molina, was arrested and taken to police headquarters. Later that nig…
Heroin, Cocaine: Pleasantville Man Arrested After K-9 Detects Drugs, AC Police Say
A 33-year-old Pleasantville man was arrested and charged after he was found to be in possession of heroin and cocaine in Atlantic City on Wednesday, June 4, authorities said.
At 4:40 p.m., officers conducted a motor vehicle stop at Kentucky and Drexel avenues, Atlantic City police said. A detective along with K-9 partner, Gee, arrived on scene and Gee detected drugs in the vehicle, police said.
Steven Young Jr. was removed from the vehicle after turning over the narcotics he had concealed in his pants, police said. Additional narcotics were found inside the vehicle, police said.
Detectives…
Melville Exec Stole $1.6M To Fund Lavish Wedding, Failed Restaurant, DOJ Says
A former Long Island credit supervisor is accused of stealing over $1 million from customer refund accounts to pay for his wedding, luxury travel, and launch a failed restaurant venture, prosecutors said.
Tony Ream, 33, of Greenville, South Carolina, was arraigned on wire fraud and money laundering charges in Central Islip federal court on Friday, May 30.
During his time as a credit supervisor for a Melville-based medical and dental supply company, Ream used his position to secretly divert corporate funds into a personal bank account he controlled, prosecutors alleged.
As supervisor, he ha…
East Orange Man Busted For Secaucus Home Invasion: Police
A 21-year-old East Orange man was arrested and charged on Thursday, May 29 with committing a home invasion in Secaucus in February, authorities said.
On Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 2:51 a.m., officers responded to a report of a burglary at the 200 block of Grace Avenue, Secaucus police said. The homeowner told police she was sleeping, but called officers when she heard someone inside her home, police said.
When the burglar, later identified as Khalif Willard, heard the resident awake, he fled the scene in a BMW X3 with his co-conspirators, police said. Officers pursued the BMW onto the New Jersey …
Drug Bust: Sparta Man Ran Narcotics Lab Out Local Shop, Cops Say
One man has been charged with operating a drug production facility out of a local storefront in Sussex County, and another is facing charges for distribution, authorities said.
Devin Pupo, 38, of Sparta, and Anthony Buff, 25, of Newton, were arrested on Friday, May 23, after an extensive investigation by the Sparta Township Police Department and the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, Acting Sussex County Prosecutor Sahil K. Kabse said.
Investigators executed search warrants at several locations in Sparta, including two businesses: Green Remedies at 53 Sparta Ave. and Zenshine Smoke Shop at …
