CAMDEN, NJ — A federal judge has allowed a lawsuit filed by a woman who says she was trafficked as a minor at a New Jersey motel to proceed, rejecting the business’s attempt to have the case thrown out early. The ruling keeps alive claims that the Seville Motel knowingly allowed and benefited from years of alleged abuse.
In an opinion issued in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Judge Claire C. Cecchi denied the motel’s motion to dismiss the case, as well as its request to force the plaintiff to provide more detailed allegations at this stage.
Allegations Detail Years of Abuse as a Minor
The lawsuit centers on claims by a woman identified as K.V., who says she was trafficked at the Seville Motel beginning in 2014 when she was 15 years old. According to the complaint, the abuse continued for roughly two years.
She alleges her trafficker used drugs, including MDMA, to control her and prevent her from leaving. The situation, she claims, ended only after she became pregnant and later suffered a miscarriage at the motel in 2016.
The plaintiff later reported the alleged trafficking to police in New York and was connected with a support organization for victims of sexual exploitation.
Claims Focus on Motel’s Knowledge and Role
A central issue in the case is whether the motel’s ownership and staff knowingly allowed the trafficking to occur and financially benefited from it.
According to the complaint, the motel’s owner allegedly provided discounted or free rooms to the trafficker and was aware that underage girls were being exploited on the property. The filing also claims staff observed repeated warning signs, including:
- Frequent traffic to and from rooms
- Victims appearing injured or under the influence of drugs
- Individuals loitering outside rooms
- The trafficker closely monitoring the victim’s movements
The plaintiff further alleges that employees interacted with the trafficker and, at times, acted as lookouts.
Court Finds Claims Sufficient to Proceed
In denying the motion to dismiss, the court determined that the allegations—if proven—could support claims that the motel knowingly benefited from and enabled sex trafficking.
At this stage, the judge did not rule on whether the claims are true, but found that the complaint contains enough detail to move forward into the next phase of litigation, where evidence can be gathered.
—
Key Points
• Federal judge denied Seville Motel’s motion to dismiss sex trafficking lawsuit
• Plaintiff alleges she was trafficked there for two years starting at age 15
• Case will proceed to discovery to examine claims of knowledge and profit
—
Broader Context of Hotel Liability Cases
Lawsuits against hotels and motels have become more common in recent years, often focusing on whether businesses ignored clear warning signs of trafficking. Federal law allows civil claims against entities that knowingly benefit from participation in trafficking ventures.
Cases like this typically hinge on whether staff recognized and failed to act on indicators of exploitation.
Current Status
With the motion to dismiss denied, the case will proceed in federal court, where both sides will begin gathering evidence and preparing arguments. No final determination on liability has been made.