Police also seized drugs, an imitation gun, three vehicles and $2,700 in cash from the unspecified hotel Thursday
FAIRFIELD - Police rescued a 16-year-old girl who was being sold for sex during a sting operation that netted 10 arrests at a local hotel last week.
Fairfield Police Chief Anthony Manna said the girl was recovered at the unspecified hotel Thursday, along with an imitation firearm, three vehicles, a small amount of marijuana and Percocet and $2,700 in cash.
Those arrested were:
- Jasmine Crisp, 19, of Newark for engaging in prostitution
- Oshane Crooks, 30, of Brooklyn, N.Y. for promoting prostitution and possession of drug paraphernalia
- Shennette Munroe, 25, of Brooklyn, N.Y. for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia
- Katherine Soland, 25, of Elmwood Park, N.J. for engaging in prostitution and possession of drug paraphernalia
- Jessica Burns, 38, of Brooklyn, N.Y. for promoting prostitution and possession of an imitation firearm
- Roberta Lombardi, 43, of Cedar Grove, N.J. for engaging in prostitution
- Unique Andrews, 19, of New York, N.Y. for promoting and engaging in prostitution
- Antoniese Nguyen, 22, of Atlanta, Ga. for promoting and engaging in prostitution
- Jackie Cotton-Pearson, 35, of East Orange for first degree promoting prostitution of a minor, possession of a fraudulent drivers license and possession of Percoet
- Janae Fussell, 43, of Cedar Grove, N.J. for first degree promoting prostitution of a minor and engaging in prostitution.
The undercover operation was part of an ongoing effort by the FBI, state police and local agencies across Morris, Hudson and Essex counties. Fairfield police have conducted approximately eight similar stings since the initiative began, according to Manna, allowing them to recover three minors who found themselves caught in the sex trade.
"This is why this absolutely not a victimless crime as many proclaim," he said. "There are real young people who should be enjoying their teen years rather than being placed in a hotel room in Fairfield for the purposes of prostitution."
Cotton-Pearson and Fussell were sent to the Essex County Jail in lieu of respective $50,000 and $25,000 bonds. Crooks was turned over to New Brunswick police on an outstanding warrant, and all other suspects were released on promises to appear in court.
Dan Ivers may be reached at divers@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanIversNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.