Pair Charged With Human Trafficking Of Somerset County Girl: Prosecutor

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — A New York couple was arrested Wednesday for having a minor from Somerset County engage in prostitution under their direction in hotels locally, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced.

A Somerset County municipal police department received information that the 16-year-old girl, whom detectives are only disclosing as a resident of Somerset County, was engaging in prostitution activity under the direction of Joneigh A. Tempro, 22, of Brentwood, New York and Joshua M. Stewart, 28, of Bay Shore, New York in hotels located throughout Somerset County.

Detectives assigned to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, along with detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Unit, found that Tempro and Stewart had knowingly promoted the minor victim to engage in sexual activity with various clients in exchange for cash.

Special Agents with the FBI found that the couple was staying at a home in Elkton, Maryland. Tempro and Stewart were arrested without incident at the home on May 10 around 11 a.m.

A search of the house found items important to the investigation.

Tempro and Stewart were each charged with first-degree, promoting prostitution (involving a child under the age of 18) and first-degree human trafficking (promoting a child under the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity).

Both were lodged in the Cecil County Detention Center located in Elkton, Maryland pending extradition proceedings back to New Jersey.

Any additional victims who may have been prompted to engage in prostitution by Tempro and Stewart are asked to contact to Somerset County detectives at 908-231-7100.

(Images via Somerset County Prosecutor's Office: Joneigh A. Tempro, 22, of Brentwood, New York and Joshua M. Stewart, 28, of Bay Shore, New York)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.