Three women arrested for prostitution after brothel uncovered on Mercer Street in Jersey City

Three women were arrested and charged with promoting prostitution after a brothel was busted at 507A Mercer Street in Jersey City. Police raided the building Thursday after surveillance and a sting operation. Several residents had reported suspicious activity in the area which alerted police to the location. Police officers watching the building saw a number of men entering and exiting the building at all hours of the day and night. An undercover officer also entered the building as a “client” in an apparent sting operation. When police raided the building they found one of the woman and a naked man in one of the rooms. They also recovered a cel phone with a listing for their services on Backpage.com, more than $2,500.00 in cash, and a notebook with customers names and dollar amounts. For additional information, please see the NJ.com article.

In New Jersey, prostitution and promoting prostitution offenses are governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1 which provides in pertinent part:

§ 2C:34-1. Prostition and Related Offenses

b.A person commits an offense if:

(1)The actor engages in prostitution;

(2)The actor promotes prostitution;

(3)The actor knowingly promotes prostitution of a child under 18 whether or not the actor mistakenly believed that the child was 18 years of age or older, even if such mistaken belief was reasonable;

(4)The actor knowingly promotes prostitution of the actors child, ward, or any other person for whose care the actor is responsible;

(5)The actor compels another to engage in or promote prostitution;

(6)The actor promotes prostitution of the actors spouse; or

(7)The actor knowingly engages in prostitution with a person under the age of 18, or if the actor enters into or remains in a house of prostitution for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with a child under the age of 18, or if the actor solicits or requests a child under the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity. It shall be no defense to a prosecution under this paragraph that the actor mistakenly believed that the child was 18 years of age or older, even if such mistaken belief was reasonable.