Rendezvous were arranged at motels in Secaucus, Fort Lee, cops say
NEW YORK -- A New York City police officer fired last month has been accused of running a prostitution ring using locations throughout the area, including in Fort Lee and Secaucus, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York announced Tuesday.
Eduardo Cornejo, 33, who was a member of the NYPD for 11 years, was arraigned in Brooklyn federal court on charges he transported women across state lines in order to engage in prostitution. In some instances, prosecutors said, Cornejo began his illicit activities right after his shift as a police officer ended.
Authorities began to investigate Cornejo after receiving a tip late last spring alleging he was selling the sexual services of a woman, according to court documents.
He was later observed transporting women from an apartment in Staten Island and other locations to motels in Fort Lee, Secaucus, Staten Island and Long Island, authorities said. In one instance, Cornejo allegedly brought women to the Fort Lee motel as a bachelor party was underway.
In another instance, at the Secaucus motel on Nov. 5, officers allegedly observed two women repeatedly leave their rooms over the course of several hours as men arrived.
Police learned that the women had posted their phone numbers in ads for escort services in Secaucus, authorities also said.
"Throughout his alleged criminal actions, Cornejo not only abused the public trust given to him as an NYPD officer, but he showed no human decency when he facilitated the exploitation of women for profit," said FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Diego Rodriguez.
Cornejo faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.