4 men charged with sex trafficking of 2 women in Camden area
Keith B. Woodson, 40, of Camden, allegedly choked one woman until she passed out, and threatened to kill her and her family, prosecutors said.
Four men have been charged with sex-trafficking two women in Camden, coercing them with violence, threats, and drugs, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said Friday.
Keith B. Woodson, 40, of Camden, Lee A. Byrd, 62, of Philadelphia, Raymond H. Cooper, 48, of Sicklerville, and Andre A. Lindsey, 41, of Woodlynne, were charged by indictment with first-degree racketeering, first-degree conspiracy to commit human trafficking, first-degree promoting organized street crime, and related offenses.
Woodson allegedly met one victim when she was getting off a bus in Camden and enticed her with the promise of making $1,000 a day, prosecutors said. The woman, who was dependent on narcotics, agreed. She allegedly turned over the money she was paid for sex acts to Woodson, who supplied her with ecstasy, Percocet, and Adderall.
When she disobeyed Woodson, he allegedly choked her until she passed out and threatened to kill her and her family, prosecutors said.
Woodson allegedly threatened violence against a second woman’s family if she tried to leave, and told her he expected her to see four to five men daily, Monday through Friday, prosecutors said.
Woodson allegedly posted photos of the second woman on illicit sex websites to attract customers, and he allegedly solicited men from a bar and a convenience store he frequented, authorities said.
Prosecutors said Woodson rented hotel rooms, bought supplies, and arranged meetings between the woman and patrons and collected the money that was paid to the woman, who feared that he would hurt her physically or withhold food.
The other defendants are also accused of trafficking the second woman, driving her to various hotels, standing watch outside, and then collecting the money, prosecutors said. Cooper also allegedly provided Woodson with drugs to give to the second woman.
All four men carried guns, Davenport said.
“This indictment describes a cycle of violence and abuse that was used to force the victims into prostitution,” Davenport said in a statement.
“People engaged in human trafficking exploit vulnerable victims for financial gain, and we will always work to hold them accountable and provide help and support to the victims,” Davenport said.
