Gloucester Township Man Among First to be Sentenced Under New Jersey Human Trafficking Law

A Sicklerville man who was among the first in the state to be charged under the new first degree human trafficking charge, which allows law enforcement to target the men and women who most benefit from the sex trade in New Jersey, was sentenced to state prison.

Van Howell, 43, and Krista Burton, 31, of Philadelphia, were each sentenced to five years of incarceration for conspiracy to commit human trafficking, Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo and Gloucester Township Police Chief Harry Earle said on Friday.

The law applied to Howell and Burton because a 26-year-old woman who was lured to New Jersey to engage in prostitution was from North Carolina.

She appears to have been involved in the sex trade in Cherokee, North Carolina, and was recruited by Howell and Burton to work in New Jersey with the promise of a more lucrative business.

Howell and Burton made it clear the victim was to earn money for them through the sex trade and caused the victim to believe she would suffer consequences if she did not.

They took control of her cell phone and rendered her unable to leave.

Howell and Burton were arrested at the Howard Johnson’s on Route 168 on Jan. 24, 2014.

“I applaud the efforts of all involved in the arrest of these offenders including our collaboration with the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and for their aggressive prosecution of this case,” Earle said. “We will continue to conduct operations targeting those who exploit others while at same time focusing on those that have been victimized by these types of predators. It is important that we continue this effort on a broader level to not only stop the victimization, but to also help shed light on these crimes often not seen by many members of the public.”

Burton was sentenced on Friday after pleading guilty to one count of second-degree conspiracy to commit human trafficking on March 2.

Van Howell was sentenced on May 21 after pleading guilty to the same charge on March 9.

“We will continue to fervently investigate these types of crimes and prosecute offenders who prey on some of society’s most vulnerable members,” said Assistant Prosecutor Ira Slovin, who handled the case. “We’re pleased these defendants were sentenced to state prison. We are proud of the thorough investigation conducted by my office, Gloucester Township Police and our law enforcement partners.”