Three Indicted in Human Trafficking, Sex Case Involving Teen

A man and a woman from Atlantic County were indicted Tuesday by a state grand jury for allegedly trafficking a 14-year-old girl for sex at a casino in Atlantic City and in other parts of South Jersey. The indictment also charges a third person who allegedly paid to have sex with the teen in his home.

Attorney General Gurbir Grewal's office made the announcement Wednesday.

39-year-old Tiffany N. Davis of Egg Harbor Township and 27-year-old Derrick V. Ross of Atlantic City were indicted on conspiracy (1st degree), human trafficking (1st degree), promoting organized street crime (1st Degree), promoting prostitution of a child under 18 (1st degree), and facilitating human trafficking (2nd degree) charges.

According to a press release, Ross is also charged with sexual assault of a child under 16 (2nd degree) and endangering the welfare of a child (3rd degree) for allegedly engaging in sexual acts with the victim multiple times.

The indictment also charges 53-year-old Kurt C. Young of South Dennis Township, a retired state correctional police officer, for allegedly engaging in sexual acts with the 14-year-old girl in his home. Authorities say he allegedly arranged with Davis for the girl to be transported to his home for sex in exchange for money.

Young is charged in the state grand jury indictment with sexual assault of a child under 16 (2nd degree), engaging in prostitution with a child under 18 (2nd degree), and endangering the welfare of a child (3rd degree).

Ross was arrested by State Police on November 27th, Davis was arrested on January 17th, and Young was arrested on January 28th.

The Office of the Attorney General says,

During the investigation, the State Police responded by phone to an online “escort” ad. The person who answered agreed she would meet the undercover detective at a casino hotel in Atlantic City. The 14-year-old victim, who is not related to either Davis or Young, was recovered by the State Police on November 27, 2019, when she arrived at the hotel as arranged and offered to have sex with an undercover detective. Pursuant to AG Directive 2012-2 on Investigation of Human Trafficking, the victim was immediately connected with support services.

Ross was arrested later that day after it was determined that he allegedly transported the 14-year-old victim to the hotel to engage in sex for money. Further investigation revealed that Davis allegedly had placed online ads and had trafficked the victim to have sex with a number of men during the month of November, with the assistance of Ross. Davis and Ross allegedly split the proceeds generated from trafficking the victim.

In a statement, Attorney General Grewal said, "Bringing human traffickers to justice and ending their cruel enslavement of vulnerable victims is a priority mission of the Attorney General’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, and our law enforcement partners throughout New Jersey. These victims often feel trapped with no way to escape.That is why we urge people to help us rescue them by calling our confidential hotline 855-END-NJ-HT if they see someone who they suspect is being exploited in this manner."

A first-degree human trafficking charge carries a sentence of 20 years without parole to life in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000.