Police foil human trafficking attempt against 2 teenage girls, 3 of whom are arrested and charged in New Jersey

Three New Jersey men have been arrested for trafficking teenage girls.

Three people have been charged in New Jersey in connection with a human trafficking conspiracy involving two teenage girls. People from Carteret, NJ (Desmond Bullock, 48), White House Station, NJ (Heather James, 37) and elsewhere in the state are charged.

After police responded to a motel in Linden, Union County, she was charged with human trafficking and other related crimes. The Division of Criminal Justice, New Jersey State Police and the Linden Police Department were all involved in the investigation.

The search began when a 15-year-old girl went missing on March 20, leading to an investigation. When police arrived, they found the child at a hotel in Linden with another 17-year-old girl. Both were immediately recovered. During the operation, Bullock, Zeleniak and James were arrested and charged with conspiracy, commercial sexual advertising with a minor and endangering the welfare of a child. Zeleniak was also charged with possession of a controlled dangerous drug and having sexual contact with a minor without permission.

All three suspects were ordered held by Union County Superior Court Judge Chanel Hudson. In statements, state officials reaffirmed their commitment to combating human trafficking and praised the work of law enforcement working together to combat these serious crimes.