Three New Jersey men arrested for human trafficking of teenage girls

TRENTON, New Jersey—Authorities in New Jersey have charged three individuals in connection with a human trafficking operation involving two young women. The defendants are Desmond Bullock, 48, and Andrew Zeleniak, 31, both of Carteret, New Jersey, and Heather James, 37, of White House Station, New Jersey.

The trio faces charges of human trafficking and other related offenses after law enforcement responded to a motel in Linden, Union County. The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the Division of Criminal Justice, New Jersey State Police and the Linden Police Department.

The investigation was triggered by a missing report involving a 15-year-old girl on Wednesday March 20. After responding, authorities found the minor at a Linden hotel with another 17-year-old woman. Both were immediately recovered. During the operation, Bullock, Zeleniak and James were apprehended and faced additional charges including commercial advertising of the sex of a minor, endangering the welfare of a child and conspiracy. Zeleniak was also charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and criminal sexual contact.

The Union County Superior Court, under Judge Chanel Hudson, ordered the three defendants detained. Statements from state officials emphasized their commitment to combating human trafficking and recognized the collaborative effort of law enforcement to combat these serious crimes.