Mays Landing Man Charged With Sex Trafficking 3 Women: ACPO

A Mays Landing man was charged Thursday with sex trafficking three women, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office announced Sunday. El Joshua held three adult women captive through violence, threats, coercion and the provision of heroin, the ACPO said. He forced them into prostitution and domestic servitude, authorities said.

Joshua, of Pearce Road, was arrested after a two-month-long investigation between Township of Hamilton police and the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, the ACPO said. One of the women had escaped through a window to alert authorities, according to the ACPO.

The 36-year-old was charged with five counts of human trafficking, two counts of criminal restraint and one count of possessing a weapon for purposes related to sex trafficking two women, the ACPO said.

“Human trafficking is a serious problem that plagues our community," said Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner. "Whether through prostitution or other forms of forced labor, such as restaurants and nail salons, we as a community must recognize the signs and report suspected incidents to law enforcement immediately. I thank our partners at the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force and the Township of Hamilton Police Department for their dedication and work on this investigation."

Authorities took Joshua to the Atlantic County Justice Facility, the ACPO said. A detention hearing will take place Wednesday.