TRENTON, NJ—New Jersey officials have charged three individuals in connection with a human trafficking operation involving two juvenile females. The accused are Desmond Bullock, 48, and Andrew Zeleniak, 31, both from Carteret, NJ, along with Heather James, 37, from White House Station, NJ.
The trio faces charges of human trafficking and other related offenses after law enforcement intervened at a motel in Linden, Union County. The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Division of Criminal Justice, New Jersey State Police, and the Linden Police Department.
The investigation was triggered by a missing person report involving a 15-year-old girl on Wednesday, March 20. Upon responding, authorities discovered the minor at a hotel in Linden along with another 17-year-old female. Both were immediately recovered. During the operation, Bullock, Zeleniak, and James were apprehended and faced additional charges including advertising commercial sex of a minor, endangering the welfare of a child, and conspiracy. Zeleniak was also charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and criminal sexual contact.
The Union County Superior Court, under Judge Chanel Hudson, ordered the detention of all three defendants. Statements from state officials emphasized their commitment to combating human trafficking and acknowledged the collaborative effort of law enforcement agencies in addressing these severe crimes.