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
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)
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 Kathryn Cobb
kcobb@bcpo.net
Office: 201-226-5548
Cell: 201-250-7368
Sergeant TJ Cullen
tcullen@bcpo.net
Office: 201-226-5734
Cell: 551-204-0083
Sergeant Keith Macellaro
kmacellaro@bcpo.net
Office: 201-226-5698
Cell: 551-255-6303
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
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
Assistant Prosecutor Katharine Dolin
kdolin@co.burlington.nj.us
609-265-5641
Assistant Prosecutor Kathleen Grahn
kgrahn@co.burlington.nj.us
609-265-5686
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 Nicole Buermann
Nicole.Buermann@njecpo.org
973-753-1163
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
Assistant Prosecutor Julie Peterson
jpeterson@co.ocean.nj.us
732-929-2027 x3267
Detective Jason LaRaia
JasonLaRaia@co.ocean.nj.us
732-929-2027 x3758
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
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.
The Commission is charged with the duties of:
- Evaluating existing laws relating to human trafficking and making recommendations;
- Evaluating the enforcement of existing laws relating to human trafficking and making recommendations;
- Reviewing the cost, availability and organization of victim assistance services for victims of human trafficking and making recommendations;
- Promoting a coordinated response by public and private resources to assist victims of human trafficking;
- Developing mechanisms to promote public awareness of human trafficking;
- 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 Friday, December 15, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. is being provided. The meeting will be held via video conference call.
Agenda items include pending legislation, future meeting date(s), and discussion.
Information to participate:
Conference Phone Number: 1-856-288-3130
Phone Conference ID: 599 063 777#
Microsoft Teams meeting:
Join on your computer or mobile app
Meeting ID: 282 543 061 899
Passcode: MBvhiE
Join the Meeting
or
Copy and paste the link below into browser:
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NmZlNGUxZjAtMzljNy00OTVjLTkyYTYtNDAyM2JmOWY2MTU2%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%223667d5f7-e6d2-4d18-b5fc-1d6ae9681293%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%225f71c806-7cce-4663-a180-bed014a8fb45%22%7d
Individuals interested in attending this meeting please email HiltonT@njdcj.org
2022 Meeting Minutes
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
Reports and Statistics
BUSINESS OWNERS – Download and Print Awareness Sign in Compliance with P.L. 2013, c.51 (C.52:17B-237) | Español
Pursuant to section 1 of P.L. 2013, c.51 (C.52:17B-237), 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
Human Trafficking Red Flags & Fact Sheets(8.5″x11″):
- 101 for School Administrators & Staff
- 101 for School Administrators & Staff – ESP
- Airline and Airport Workers
- Airline and Airport Workers – ESP
- EMS, Fire Department, Law Enforcement & Other Emergency Care Professionals
- EMS, Fire Department, Law Enforcement & Other Emergency Care Professionals – ESP
- Health Care Provider Assessment Card
- Health Care Provider Assessment Card (coming)
- Hospitality Professionals
- Hospitality Professionals – ESP
- Identifying Victims of Human Trafficking
Potential Indicators & Red Flags - Identifying Victims of Human Trafficking
Potential Indicators & Red Flags – ESP - Indicator Card for Schools
- Indicator Card for Schools (coming)
- Taxi, Limousine and Public Transporation Drivers
- Taxi, Limousine and Public Transporation Drivers – ESP
- Understanding Victims’ Mindsets
- Understanding Victims’ Mindsets – ESP
- What to Look for During a Medical Exam/Consultation
- What to Look for During a Medical Exam/Consultation – ESP
Human Trafficking Posters (11″x17″):
Available in English and Spanish
- Download Poster A: English I Spanish
- Download Poster B: English I Spanish
- Download Poster C: English I Spanish
- Download Poster D: English I Spanish
- Download Poster E: English I
- Download Poster F: English I
Human Trafficking Training Videos
Law Enforcement & Prosecutor Resources
Reporting Forms
Prevention, Protection, & Treatment – The Law
How to Identify Victims
-
- 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?
-
- 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
Protection – The Statute/Law
Human Trafficking Prevention, Protection, & Treatment Act
Prevention
Treatment
Government Organizations
Non-Government Organizations
- Anti-Slavery International
- Break the Chain Campaign, Institute of Policy Studies
- Coalition Against Slavery and Trafficking
- Dream CatcherA holistic program addressing all forms of Human Trafficking. Call 800-286-4184 and ask for the Dream Catcher Program.
- Freedom Network USA
- Free the Slaves
- Girls Education Mentoring Service (GEMS)
- Global Rights: Partners for Justice (formerly the International Human Rights Law Group)
- International Institute of New Jersey
- New Jersey Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Statewide Coordinator
- Polaris Project
- Safe Horizon
- Vital Voices
- Web Portal of the American Anti-Slavery Group, Abolish
Human Trafficking Terminology and Statutes
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
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.
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.
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.
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.