Programs

Human Trafficking Unit

Human Trafficking Unit

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We are committed to combating the crime of Human Trafficking through education, collaboration and prosecution.

Human Trafficking Unit

The Unit’s goals are to:
  • Train and assist law enforcement in methods of identifying victims and signs of trafficking in order to disrupt and interdict this activity
  • Coordinate statewide efforts in the identification and provision of services to victims of human trafficking
  • Increase the successful interdiction and prosecution of trafficking of human persons

A victim of trafficking may look like many of the people you see every day. Ask the right questions and look for clues. You are vital because you may be the only outsider with the opportunity to speak to a victim.

Contacts

Program Contacts
 
 
Kathleen Friess
Program Coordinator

Division of Criminal Justice
friessk@njdcj.org

(Trainings, Outreach, etc.)

Theresa L. Hilton, AAG
Deputy Director
Office of the Attorney General – Division of Criminal Justice

 

NJ Human Trafficking Hotline – Tips/Leads

855.END.NJ.HT (855-363-6548)

If you believe you have identified a trafficking victim call 24/7 toll-free 855.END.NJ.HT (855-363-6548).

Please use the HOTLINE NUMBER for any and all matters meant for law enforcement.

 


GET HELP 

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, please call: Call 911 for emergencies
For victim assistance call: Covenant House 862-240-2453

Remember: Victims may be leaving everything they know and own, including family members and support systems, and many will need assistance meeting their basic needs; everything from food, clothing, shelter and medical care.

New Jersey Human Trafficking Liaisons

Should you need more information on human trafficking in your area, need a speaker for a community event, or are interested in learning more about Human Trafficking, you can contact your local Prosecutor’s Office Human Trafficking Liaison listed below. If you or someone you know is in danger of human trafficking, please call 911 or the New Jersey State Human Trafficking Hotline at 855-END-NJ-HT (855-363-6548). If you are a survivor of Human trafficking in need of services, please call the National Hotline at Call 1-888-373-7888 ( TTY: 711) or *Text 233733

ATLANTIC COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE 

Assistant Prosecutor John Flammer, Chief
Flammer_j@acpo.org
609-909-7893

Assistant Prosecutor Dave Ruffenach
Ruffenach_d@acpo.org

Detective Ryan Ripley
Ripley_r@acpo.org
Office:  609-909-7682
Cell:  (609) 377-1073

Emergency outside of business hours: Call Atlantic County Sheriff’s Communications Center at (609) 909-7200 who will contact the liaisons.


BERGEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Assistant Prosecutor Mark Chiavola
mchiavola@bcpo.net
Office:  201-226-5805

Sergeant TJ Cullen
tcullen@bcpo.net
Office:  201-226-5734
Cell:  551-204-0083

Detective Edward Kazmierczak
ekazmierczak@bcpo.net
Office:  201-226-5520
Cell:  551-223-4004

Detective Claudia Maietta
cmaietta@bcpo.net
Office:  201-226-5514
Cell:  551-404-7878

humantrafficking@bcpo.net

All of the above may be reached by email at humantrafficking@bcpo.net
Emergency outside of business hours: Call the Bergen County Public Safety Operations Center (PSOC) at (210) 785-8500.


BURLINGTON COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Det. Joshua Jenkins
jfjenkins@co.burlington.nj.us

Det. Ursula Sharkey
usharkey@co.burlington.nj.us

Detective Gary D’Alessio
gdalessio@co.burlington.nj.us
609-265-5885

Emergency outside of business hours: Call Central Communications Operator P-5 at (609) 265-7105 and ask the operator to contact the Duty Detective.


CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Assistant Prosecutor Nevan Soumilas, Section Chief
soumilasn@ccprosecutor.org
856-225-8427

Detective Megan Hill
hillm@ccprosecutor.org
856-225-8495

Detective Grace Bohn
bohng@ccprosecutor.org
856-225-5049

Detective Felicia Tilton (Juvenile)
tiltonf@ccprosecutor.org
856-225-8432

Emergency outside of business hours: Call Central Communications at (856) 783-1333 and ask for on-call Major Crimes Detective or SVU Detective depending on whether the victims are adults or juveniles.


CAPE MAY COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Assistant Prosecutor Bryna Batten
Bbatten@cmcpros.net
Office: (609) 465-1135 x3428

DSG. Danielle Mitchell
Dmitchell@cmcpros.net
Office: (609) 465-1135 x3306
Cell: (609) 675-3200

Emergency outside of business hours: After hours contact Office of Emergency Management at (609) 600-5055 and ask to speak to the on call detective.


CUMBERLAND COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Assistant Prosecutor Holly Fanelle, Special Victims Unit
hollyto@cumberlandcountynj.gov
856-453-0486 x11211

Detective Frank Sabella
Franksa@cumberlandcountynj.gov
856-453-0486 x13624

Emergency outside of business hours: Call County Communications at (856) 455-6886 and ask for the on-call SVU detective and call AP Vogelsong’s cell # (856) 628-2699


ESSEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Kathleen Boswick
Kathleen.Boswick@njecpo.org
973-753-1127

Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Celeste Montesino
Celeste.Montesino@njecpo.org
973-753-1138

Assistant Prosecutor Dolores Bujnowski
Dolores.Bujnowski@njecpo.org
973-753-1144

Deputy Chief Nichele Patrick
Nichele.Patrick@njecpo.org
973-753-1117

Captain Michael Recktenwald
Michael.Recktenwald@njecpo.org
973-753-1130

Detective Malik Rivers
Malik.Rivers@njecpo.org
973-753-1154

Detective Jazmin Felder
Jazmin.Felder@njecpo.org
973-753-1158

Captain Carlos Olmo
Carlos.Olmo@njecpo.org

Lieutenant Jerod Glover
Jerod.Glover@njecpo.org

Sergeant Krista Tracey
Krista.Tracey@njecpo.org

Emergency outside of business hours: Call Sheriff’s Department at (973) 621-4111 and ask to speak to the on-call SVU AP.


GLOUCESTER COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Assistant Prosecutor Elizabeth Tornese
etornese@co.gloucester.nj.us
856-384-5525

Detective James Gentile
jvgentile@co.gloucester.nj.us

Sergeant Warren Rivell
wrivell@co.gloucester.nj.us

Emergency outside of business hours: Call Lt. Lick’s cell at (856) 498-4650.


HUDSON COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Detective Lieutenant Vincent Bonaccolta
vbonaccolta@hcpo.org
Office:  201-795-6400 x6718
Cell:  201-988-3304

Emergency outside of business hours: Call 911.


HUNTERDON COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Assistant Prosecutor Jessica Cardone
jcardone@co.hunterdon.nj.us
Office:  908-788-1129

Detective Julia Ahearn
jahearn@co.hunterdon.nj.us
Cell:  908-399-3725

Emergency outside of business hours: Call Communications at (908) 788-1202


MERCER COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Assistant Prosecutor Alycia Beyrouty
abeyrouty@mercercounty.org

Detective Alicia Bergondo
abergondo@mercercounty.org
609-989-6351

Detective Sergio Sanchez
ssanchez@mercercounty.org


MIDDLESEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Carver
Thomas.Carver@co.middlesex.nj.us
732-745-3300 x3904

Captain Karleen Duca
Karleen.Duca@co.middlesex.nj.us
Desk:  732-745-4255
Cell:  908-239-6934

Lieutenant Michael Connelly
Michael.Connelly@co.middlesex.nj.us
Desk:  732-745-8675
Cell:  732-585-8430

Sergeant Joseph Chesseri
Joseph.Chesseri@co.middlesex.nj.us
Desk:  732-745-4221
Cell:  732-789-5060

Detective Haley Hlavka
Haley.Hlavka@co.middlesex.nj.us
Desk: 732-745-3287
Cell:  732-816-3768

Detective Ashley Blackwell
Ashley.Blackwell@co.middlesex.nj.us
Desk:  732-745-3465
Cell:  732-991-0668

Detective Giovanni Diaz
Giovanni.Diaz@co.middlesex.nj.us
Desk:  732-745-4312
Cell:  732-991-9952

After business hours, calls will be forwarded to the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department. Please ask to speak with the on-call Special Victims Unit Detective.


MONMOUTH COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Assistant Prosecutor Stephanie Dugan
sdugan@mcponj.org

Detective Dawn Correia
dcorreia@mcponj.org

Detective Jose Rodriguez
jrodriguez@mcponj.org

Emergency outside of business hours: Call Radio Room at (732) 577-8700 and ask the Radio Room to contact liaisons Det. Rios or AP Wallace.


MORRIS COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Senior Assistant Prosecutor Reema Kareer
rkareer@co.morris.nj.us

Assistant Prosecutor Catherine LaQuaglia
claquaglia@co.morris.nj.us

Detective Michael Thompson
mjthompson@co.morris.nj.us

Emergency outside of business hours: Call Communications Center at (973) 285-2900 and ask for the liaisons to be contacted.


OCEAN COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Assistant Prosecutor Ashley Angelo
aangelo@co.ocean.nj.us
732-929-2027 x4302

Detective Erica Bonfiglio
Bonfiglio@co.ocean.nj.us
732-929-2027

Emergency outside of business hours: Call County Office at (732) 929-2027 which connects to the Sheriff’s Department. Ask for the liaisons to be contacted.


PASSAIC COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Assistant Prosecutor Jessica Petrella
jpetrella@passaiccountynj.org

Detective 1st Grade Kibret Boreland
kboreland@passaiccountynj.org
Office:  973-837-7670
Cell:  862-373-5608

Detective Maria Ingraffia
mingraffia@passaiccountynj.org
Office:  973-837-7676
Cell:  862-881-6881

Emergency outside of business hours: Call the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at (973) 225-3167 and request a liaison be contacted.


SALEM COUNTY PROSECTOR’S OFFICE

First Assistant Prosecutor Jon Flynn
Jonathan.Flynn@salemcountynj.gov
609-839-7607

Lieutenant Staci Legatie
Staci.Legatie@salemcountynj.gov
609-839-7613

Sergeant Jessie Venello
Jessie.Venello@salemcountynj.gov
609-839-3061

Detective Jonathan Seidel
Jonathan.Seidel@salemcountynj.gov
609-202-8634

Lieutenant Amy Hill (retiring in 3 months)
Amy.Hill@salemcountynj.gov
609-868-3311

Emergency outside of business hours: At all times, call Police Dispatch at (609) 868-8164 and tell them to contact the liaisons.


SOMERSET COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Assistant Prosecutor Nicole McGrath
mcgrath@co.somerset.nj.us
908-575-3351

Assistant Prosecutor Kim Savino-French
savinofrench@co.somerset.nj.us
908-575-3322

Sergeant Jeanne Trillhaase
trillhaase@co.somerset.nj.us
908-575-3354

Detective Carolina Moreno
cmoreno@co.somerset.nj.us
908-575-5082

Emergency outside of business hours: Call County Communications at (908) 526-2500, press #2, and indicate call is for Sex Crimes


SUSSEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Assistant Prosecutor Laura Nazzaro
lnazzaro@scpo.sussex.nj.us

Det. Anne Beverly
abeverley@scpo.sussex.nj.us
Office: (973) 383-1570
Cell: (201) 787-6123

Det. Megan Moschberger
mmoschberger@scpo.sussex.nj.us
Office: (973) 383-1570
Fax: (973) 383-4929

Emergency outside of business hours: At all times, call Sussex County Sheriff’s Department Communication Center at (973) 579-0888, who will notify Duty Detective who will contact the liaisons.


UNION COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Assistant Prosecutor Michael Sheets
Msheets@ucnj.org
(908) 558-2054

Lieutenant Janet Lopez
janet.lopez@ucpo.org
908-965-3881

Sergeant Annie Coll
annie.coll@ucpo.org
Office:  908-965-3876
Cell:  908-347-2474

Sergeant Joanne Son
joanne.son@ucpo.org

Emergency outside of business hours: Call Union County Police Department at (908) 654-9800 who will contact SVU personnel to contact liaisons.


WARREN COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Assistant Prosecutor Gloria M. Rispoli
Grispoli@co.warren.nj.us
Desk:  908-475-6048
Cell:  908-319-1045

Detective Sergeant John Marino
Jmarino@co.warren.nj.us
908-475-6043

Detective Heidi Buss
Hbuss@co.warren.nj.us
908-475-6275

Emergency outside of business hours: Call Warren County Communications Center at (908) 835-2000, which will contact the on-call detective who will make the appropriate contacts.


NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

Det. I Mark Wettengel
Lpp7163@gov.njsp.org


FBI CONTACTS

For the counties of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and the southern half of Ocean County the liaisons are:

Supervising Special Agent Danica Dudas
Dmdudas@fbi.gov
(520) 591-8932

For the counties of Gloucester, Salem and Camden please contact:

Special Agent Meagan Romanoski
Mmromanoski@fbi.gov
Cell: (215) 756-7201

Intelligence Analyst Jeff Anderson
Jsanderson2@fbi.gov
(609) 634-1417

For the northern half of Ocean county and all remaining counties in the state please contact:

Special Agent Brian Salamone
Bmsalamone@fbi.gov
(201) 407-4781

Special Agent Shannon Treney
Streney@fbi.gov
(973) 289-1132


 

HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS

Supervising Special Agent Craig T. Vanderhoff
Craig.T.Vanderhoff@ice.dhs.gov

Supervising Special Agent John J. Fitch
John.J.Fitch@ice.dhs.gov

Assistant Special Agent in Charge Brett Dreyer
Brett.Dreyer@ice.dhs.gov

Deputy Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy
Michael.McCarthy@ice.dhs.gov

NJ Commission on Human Trafficking

New Jersey has a robust and comprehensive anti-trafficking strategy involving many sectors—including, social service providers, law enforcement, and government at all levels.  The New Jersey Commission on Human Trafficking is part of that strategy. 

The New Jersey Commission on Human Trafficking was created by the Legislature in 2013, as part of its passage of the Human Trafficking Prevention, Protection, and Treatment Act (P.L. 2013, c.51; see N.J.S.A.52:17B–237). The Commission is composed of fifteen members from the fields of law enforcement, victim assistance services, health care and child advocacy, as well as members of the general public who have experience in, or who have a specialized knowledge of, human trafficking. As required by the enabling legislation, one Commissioner is a survivor of human trafficking. The Commissioners were nominated either by the Governor, or by the Governor upon the recommendation of leading members of the Legislature.

BYLAWS

The Commission is charged with the duties of: 

  1. Evaluating existing laws relating to human trafficking and making recommendations;
  2. Evaluating the enforcement of existing laws relating to human trafficking and making recommendations;
  3. Reviewing the cost, availability and organization of victim assistance services for victims of human trafficking and making recommendations;
  4. Promoting a coordinated response by public and private resources to assist victims of human trafficking;
  5. Developing mechanisms to promote public awareness of human trafficking;
  6. Reporting annually to the Governor and to the Legislature regarding the Commission’s activities, findings and recommendations.

Meetings are currently held monthly and are open to the public.  Please see dates and information on how to attend below.


Notice of Public Meeting

Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et. seq., this notice of the New Jersey Commission on Human Trafficking meeting on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. is being provided.  The meeting will be held via video conference call.

Agenda items include a presentation by PACT regarding hotel staff training, a presentation by St. Joseph’s Health, Assembly Bill 1916 and other relevant pending legislation, and open Commission seats.

Information to participate:

Conference Phone Number:  1-856-288-3130
Phone Conference ID:  369 041 04#

Microsoft Teams Meeting:
Join on your computer or mobile app
Meeting ID:  259 640 090 755
Passcode:  bSZbBL

Copy and paste the link below into browser:

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZmViOWY1YTctODg1Yy00MTA5LWFhZWItZTVjZWQzN2RkYmZh%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%223667d5f7-e6d2-4d18-b5fc-1d6ae9681293%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22fb05eaf1-daac-4b98-802d-f3eca982951a%22%7d

 Individuals interested in attending this meeting please email HiltonT@njdcj.org


2022 Meeting Minutes

Jan-19


 2021 Meeting Minutes

Jan-20
Feb-17
Mar-17
Apr-21
Sep-22
Sep-29

2020 Meeting Minutes

Feb-12
June-17
July-15
August-5
August-16
August-19
August-27
October-21
November-18
December-16

BUSINESS OWNERS – Download and Print Awareness Sign in Compliance with P.L. 2021, c.3 (C.52:17B-237.1)  |  Español

Pursuant to section 1 of P.L. 2021, c.3 (C.52:17B-237.1), the following establishments to the extent practicable shall display the public awareness sign described in subsection a. in a place that is clearly conspicuous and visible to employees and the public:

(1)   Strip clubs or sexually oriented businesses as defined in subsection a. of section 2 of P.L.1995, c.167 (2C:33-12.2), including, but not limited to, within every dressing room and within every restroom and restroom stall;
(2)   Places of business of employers of massage or bodywork therapists, which employers are subject to registration, and which therapists are subject to licensure, pursuant to P.L.1999, c.19 (C.45:11-53 et seq.) and section 13 of P.L.2007, c.337 (C.45:11-68 et al.), including, but not limited to, within every dressing room and within every restroom and restroom stall;
(3) Bars;
(4) Airports;
(5) Passenger rail or light rail stations;
(6) Bus stations;
(7) Welcome Centers;
(8) Truck stops;
(9) Weigh Stations;
(10) Emergency rooms within general acute care hospitals;
(11) Urgent care centers;
(12) Farm labor contractors and day haulers;
(13) Privately operated job recruitment centers;
(14) Service areas and safety rest areas located along interstate highways in New Jersey;
(15) All forms of public transportation, including every railroad passenger car; and
(16) Hotels, motels, bed and breakfast establishments, campsites, and similar places of public accommodation.

c. Owners and operators of private and public school buses are encouraged to display the public awareness sign described in subsection a. in a place that is clearly conspicuous and visible to students.
d. The public awareness sign to be posted pursuant to subsection b. shall be no smaller than eight and one-half inches by eleven inches in size, printed in 16-point font, in English and Spanish.
e. A business or establishment that fails to comply with the requirements of this section shall be liable for a civil penalty of $300 for a first offense and $1000 for each subsequent offense.

Help and Resources

Awareness & Education
NJ Human Trafficking Task Force Brochure(8.5″x11″): English I Español

Human Trafficking Red Flags & Fact Sheets(8.5″x11″):

Human Trafficking Posters (11″x17″):
Available in English and Spanish

 

Human Trafficking Training Videos

Law Enforcement & Prosecutor Resources
Reporting Forms
Arrest Report: 
Significant Events Report:
How to Identify Victims

Investigate tips. Victims you identify and assist may help in the prosecution and conviction of their traffickers.
The questions below may help you identify a human trafficking victim:
    • What type of work do you do?
    • Are you being paid?
    • Can you leave your job if you want to?
    • Can you come and go as you please?
    • Have you or your family been threatened?
    • What are your working and living conditions like?
    • Where do you sleep and eat?
    • Do you have to ask permission to eat/sleep/go to the bathroom?
    • Are there locks on the doors/windows so you cannot get out?
    • Do you have possession of your identifying documents? If not, who does?
If you are not in a position to question a potential victim of human trafficking, look for the following clues:
    • Evidence of being controlled
    • Evidence of inability to move or leave job
    • Bruises or other signs of physical abuse
    • Fear or depression
    • Not speaking on own behalf or non-English speaking dominated by English speaking individual(s).
    • No passport or other forms of identification or documentation
Prevention, Protection & Treatment – The Law

Human Trafficking Terminology and Statutes

A B C D E F G H  I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Coercion

Threats or perceived threats of serious harm to or physical constraints against any person; a scheme intended to cause a person to believe that failure to perform will result in serious harm to or physical restraint against any person.

Continued Presence
Allows victims who lack legal status and are assisting law enforcement as potential witnesses to remain in the country for the course of criminal investigation. Through continued presence, victims can receive temporary immigration relief.
Continued Presence Toolkit

Debt Bondage
Status or condition of a debtor arising from a pledge by the debtor of his or her personal services or of those of a person under his or her control as a security for debt, if the value of those services as reasonably assessed is not applied toward the liquidation of the debt or the length and nature of those services are not respectively limited and defined.
EAD/Work Authorization
Trafficking victims whom have continued presence are eligible to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that proves that the victim is legally employable in the United States. One type of temporary relieve a victim can receive offer issued continued presence.
Federal Law Enforcement Authorization (LEA)
Refers to any federal law enforcement agency that has the responsibility and authority for the detection, investigation, or prosecution of severe forms of trafficking in persons. Qualified LEAs include, but are not limited to, the offices of the Department of Justice, United States Attorney, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE), United States Marshal Service, and the Diplomatic Security Service of the Department of State. Certification of a person as a “trafficking victim” by a LEA is required by the TVPA before a trafficking victim can apply for the T Visa.
Human Smuggling
Helping someone to illegally cross country borders, often without identification or papers, for financial or material benefit. Smuggling ends with the arrival of the migrants at their destination, whereas trafficking involves the ongoing exploitation of the victims in some manner to generate illicit profits for the traffickers.

Human Trafficking
The use of force, fraud or coercion to bring a person into conditions of extreme exploitation. Trafficking can occur within a country or across international borders and does not have to involve movement. It is a form of modern-day slavery. The definition of human trafficking that the TVPA provides refers to severe forms of trafficking.

Involuntary Servitude
Forcing a person to work through threats, harm, physical abuse, restraint or legal retaliation.
Pass-Through
states must give a % of the grant they receive to local governments, combination of local units, or other specified groups or organizations
Prior Approval
written approval by the authorized official as consent prior to a budgetary or programmatic change in the award
Program Requirements
obligations of the grantee to participate in the grant program
Project Income
all income, including interest earned on subgrant funds or as a result of programs supported by grant funds; must be reported and be used to support further project activities (if allowed under Program Guidelines)
Resolution
required of all local units of government to apply for grant funds and/or incorporate those funds in the local budget
Peonage
Holding someone against his or her will to pay off a debt.
T-Visa
Temporary Visa for which certified trafficking victims can apply. T-Visa holders can apply for permanent residency offer 3 years.

Trafficking Victims Protection Act 2000 (TVPA)
Federal U.S. legislation passed in 2000 that emphasizes the prevention of trafficking, protection of victims and the prosecution of traffickers.

Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act 2003 (7VPRA)
Among the major provisions of the 7VPRA, it eliminates the requirement that a victim of trafficking between the ages of 15 and 18 must cooperate with the investigation and prosecution of his or her trafficker in order to be eligible for a T-visa; and it allows for siblings of trafficked persons to apply for a T-visa.

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