Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of Tyrone T. Washington, 33, and Shameka M. Lambert, 28, of Edgewater, on charges of Human Trafficking and Endangering The Welfare of A Child.
According to authorities, on Nov. 24th, the Edgewater Police Department received a report that an adult female was being forced to engage in prostitution by Tyrone Washington.
An investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and Special Investigations Squad and the Edgewater Police Department revealed that the adult female victim had been held against her will in Edgewater by Washington for approximately 12 days during which time she was forced to engage in prostitution.
Authorities say the investigation also revealed that during this time, a minor child was living with Washington and Lambert in the residence where the victim was being held.
As a result of the investigation, Washington and Lambert were arrested on Nov. 24th in Edgewater, and each charged with one count of Human Trafficking and one count of Endangering The Welfare Of A Child.
Officials say Washington and Lambert were remanded to the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, pending a detention hearing scheduled for Nov. 28th.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.