Franklin Police Participate in Undercover Prostitution/Drug Operation

Township police participated in an undercover operation with four other law enforcement agencies that resulted in the Aug. 22 arrests of 14 people from five states on prostitution and drug-related charges.

According to a press release on the arrests, the township police worked on a task force with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, officers from the New Brunswick Police Department, State Police troopers and Special Agents from the FBI’s Franklin field office.

“Prostitution is not a victimless crime,” township Chief of Police Lawrence W. Roberts said in  the release announcing the arrests. “It affects the quality of life of our residents. The Franklin Township Police Department is committed to improving the quality of life for all of our residents.”

According to the press release, those arrested were:

• Karina Russell, 38, of Old Bridge, charged with Promoting Prostitution, 3rd Degree and Managing a Prostitution Business, 3rd Degree
• Tyson Morton, 34, of Plainfield, charged with Promoting Prostitution, 3rd Degree
• Joseph Warmack, 28, Orange, charged with Promoting Prostitution, 3rd Degree
• Anthony Maldonado, 38, of Spotswood, charged with Promoting Prostitution, 3rd Degree
• Indyia Banks, 26, of Rochester, N.Y., charged with Promoting Prostitution, 3rd Degree
• Beverly Scott, 25, of Plainfield, charged with Promoting Prostitution, 3rd Degree
• Natasha Thompson, 22, of Stockton, CA, charged with Distribution of Cocaine, 3rd Degree and Engaging in Prostitution, a Disorderly Person Offense
• Sinice Bethea, 20, of The Bronx, N.Y., charged with Engaging in Prostitution, Disorderly Person Offense
• Shatia Johnson, 27, of Newark, charged with Engaging in Prostitution, a Disorderly Person Offense
• Helen Martinez, 20, of Newark, charged with Engaging in Prostitution, a Disorderly Person Offense
• Desiray Slover, 32, of Old Bridge, charged with Engaging in Prostitution, a Disorderly Person Offense
• Yadejah Giles, 19, of Rochester, N.Y., charged with Engaging in Prostitution, a Disorderly Person Offense
• Vanessa Pineda, 31, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, charged with Engaging in Prostitution, a Disorderly Person Offense
• Christian Chasson, 31, of Langhorne, PA. was released on his own recognizance and charged with Promoting Prostitution

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