TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Three men from New Jersey and another from South Carolina have been charged with forcing a 14-year-old girl into a prostitution ring.
Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced the charges Thursday against Michael McLeod, David Powell Jr. and Tyree Jeter, all of Jersey City, and Demetrius James Hayward of Summerville, South Carolina.
Investigators say McLeod led the operation and used threats and violence to force the 14-year-old and another 18-year-old woman to have sex for money. Hoffman says they had sex with up to 10 men per day, with all the money going to McLeod.
All four are charged with human trafficking, conspiracy, child endangerment and two prostitution-related crimes. McLeod also is charged with aggravated assault.
It was not immediately known if the men had retained lawyers.