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Seven others charged in shocking case named ‘Operation Red Light'

A state grand jury has indicted an alleged pimp who is charged with running a human trafficking and prostitution ring in Jersey City in which scores of women were induced to use heroin and cocaine and were beaten if they did not turn a daily quota of tricks, Attorney General Anne Milgram announced Friday.

According to Criminal Justice Director Deborah L. Gramiccioni, the leader of the ring, Allen Brown, also known as "Prince," 47, of Jersey City, was indicted on first-degree charges of racketeering, human trafficking and money laundering, as well as numerous lesser charges, including conspiracy, promoting prostitution, criminal coercion, theft by extortion, failure to pay taxes, and drug and weapons offenses.

The first-degree human trafficking charge alone carries a sentence of 20 years to life in state prison. The charges resulted from "Operation Red Light," an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice's Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau and the Jersey City police.

"This is a shocking case of human trafficking," Milgram said at a Trenton press conference. "We charge that Allen Brown enslaved vulnerable young women in a living hell of addiction and prostitution, controlling them with narcotics, threats and beatings. We will prosecute him to the full extent of the law."

For nearly two decades, Brown allegedly ran prostitution rings in Jersey City, coercing scores of women to prostitute for him. Through the years, Brown allegedly had residences that served as "stables" in a number of locations in Jersey City, bringing women from other cities. He allegedly brought women from Camden, Atlantic City, Elizabeth, Newark and Philadelphia.

Brown's last stable was 18 Lyon Court in Jersey City, an upscale condo development on Newark Bay in the Society Hill section of the city, Gramiccioni said.

Once the women went with Brown, he allegedly would take away their cell phones and any form of identification they possessed. A number of the locations where they were housed allegedly had reverse locks on them that could not be unlocked from the inside without a key. Only a select few had a key. The others would be locked in until it was time to work again. None of the women were allowed to go anywhere alone or without permission.

It is alleged that the women forced to prostitute for Brown were given heroin and cocaine so he could control them and exploit their addiction. They were driven to "tracks" - motels or streets in Jersey City and sometimes locations in other cities - where they were expected to make a certain amount of money each night turning tricks to cover their daily drug debt and provide a profit for Brown. If they did not make the daily quota, ranging from $500-$1,000, they were allegedly refused drugs, beaten or denied entry into the house until the money was made.

"Human trafficking takes a devastating toll on its victims," Gramiccioni said. "We urge anyone with information about suspected human trafficking to call our hotline at 1-877-986-7534. We will continue to make investigating and prosecuting these crimes a priority."

"The arrest and subsequent indictment of Allen Brown is another example of the positive results achieved when law enforcement agencies join forces," said Jersey City Police Chief Thomas Comey. "This collaborative effort resulted in the rescue of vulnerable individuals from what basically is a life of involuntary servitude. This case shows that prostitution is not a victimless crime.''

Brown allegedly collected all money and ordered subordinates to secure and control the women.

On July 28, the woman who acted as boss or "bottom" over the women for Brown pleaded guilty to racketeering. Annie Cooper, also known as "China," 40, of Jersey City, pleaded guilty before state Superior Court Judge Kevin G. Callahan in Jersey City. Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that she be sentenced to five to 10 years in prison.

Cooper was tasked with enforcing the house rules Brown established and disciplining the women for breaking the rules. If Cooper refused to enforce the rules, she allegedly would face physical violence at the hands of Brown. Cooper would discipline the women for not bringing home the daily quota of money they were required to make, sometimes kicking them and beating them with her fists and household objects. Cooper handed out heroin and cocaine to the women or withheld drugs if they did not meet demands.

The enterprise also consisted of subordinates who were responsible for transporting the women to work as prostitutes, obtaining narcotics for the women, maintaining the household and vehicles, and securing the women.

These individuals allegedly included, among others, three men who were indicted Friday: Anthony Evans, 51, of Jersey City; Brown's nephew, Arthur Brown, 37, of Jersey City; and Jerome Robinson, 30, of Newark.

Over the years, Allen Brown allegedly made hundreds of thousands of dollars, which he used to furnish his home, purchase jewelry, buy vehicles, and purchase drugs.

The ring also included individuals who allegedly laundered the proceeds of the criminal activities through various financial transactions. Frequently Allen Brown used family members and friends to act as the legitimate holder of vehicle titles, real property leases, cash and other property that he paid for with criminal proceeds.

Those people included Prince's mother, Tecora P. Brown, 72, of Bayonne; his niece, Tecora L. Brown, 35, of Jersey City; and Marlo Taylor, 39, of Newark. They are also named in the indictment. Robinson also is charged with money laundering.

It is charged that Allen Brown specifically used his mother's bank account to launder almost $500,000 he extorted from one his victims. This victim received an inheritance from her family estate and turned it over to Brown after he allegedly made threats against her and her family.

Brown, Cooper and Evans were arrested on Sept. 12, when detectives from the Division of Criminal Justice and Jersey City police executed a search warrant at 18 Lyon Court. Arthur Brown was also charged that day. Allen Brown, Evans and Cooper are being held in the Hudson County Jail with bail for each set at $325,000. Arthur Brown is in prison on other charges. The remaining defendants will be ordered to appear in court at a later date to answer the charges.

The state also seized these vehicles that allegedly were purchased with criminal proceeds: a 1999 Dae Woo, registered to Tecora P. Brown; a 1994 Cadillac DeVille, registered to Marlo Taylor; a 2004 Hummer, H2, registered to Tecora P. Brown and a 1981 Rolls Royce, registered to Marlo Taylor.

Here are charges Brown faces:

Racketeering, conspiracy to commit human trafficking and promote prostitution, human trafficking, criminal coercion, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, and theft by extortion, possession of a weapon and controlled dangerous substances, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and possession of drugs with intent to distribute, failure to file state taxes, and failure pay gross income tax.

First-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $200,000 fine, while second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine. Third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $15,000 fine. The first-degree money laundering charge carries an enhanced penalty of $500,000.

Deputy Attorney General Annmarie Taggart and Supervising Deputy Attorney General Lauren Scarpa Yfantis presented the case to the grand jury. The indictment was handed up to state Superior Court Judge Linda R. Feinberg in Trenton, who assigned the case to Hudson County.

The Division of Criminal Justice has established a toll-free Human Trafficking Hotline 1-877-986-7534 for the public and law enforcement that is open 24/7. All information received through the hotline will remain confidential.

— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM