Police Arrest Members of Human Trafficking Ring in Lawrence
Police arrested two members of a human trafficking ring on Sunday at the Red Roof Inn on Route 1 in Lawrence.
The arrests were made after an an eight-month investigation into human trafficking and prostitution by the Lawrence Police Department, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Kevin Jasper, 56, and Jianying Chen Collins, 48, were each charged with one count of first degree human trafficking and three counts of promoting prostitution. They were lodged at the Mercer County Corrections Center on $150,000 bail. Jasper and Chen Collins both live on West 47th Street in New York.
The investigation revealed that Jasper and Chen transported numerous Asian females from New York City to the Red Roof Inn for the sole purpose of promoting the females to engage in prostitution. All of the money from the prostitutes’ clients would then be turned over to Jasper. He and Chen used various online escort sites to promote their criminal activity.
Hong Wang, 38, was also arrested and charged with two counts of engaging in prostitution. Wang, who also lives on West 47th Street in New York, was processed and released on a summons.
The investigation is ongoing and the Lawrence Police Department is attempting to identify additional victims.
Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.