Three People Arrested for Human Trafficking in Mercer County: Police

Lawrence Township, NJ -- On Aug. 21, three people were arrested at the Red Roof Inn for human trafficking after an eight month investigation by the Lawrence Township Police Department, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office, and the Department of Homeland Security, the Lawrence Township Police said.

Manhattan residents Kevin Jasper, 56, and Jianying Chen (also known as Jianying C. Collins), 48, transported numerous Asian females from New York City to the Red Roof Inn for promoting the females to engage in prostitution, police said. The money would then be given to Jasper.

Jasper and Chen would use various online escort sites to promote their business, police said.

According to police, Jasper and Chen were each charged with one count of first-degree human trafficking and three counts of third-degree promoting prostitution. They're currently held at the Mercer County Corrections Center on $150,000 bail.

Hong Wang, 38, of Manhattan, was arrested and charged with two counts of engaging in prostitution, police said. After Wang was processed, he was released on a summons.

The investigation is ongoing and the Lawrence Township Police Department is trying to identify additional victims, police said.

Photos show Jianying Chen and Kevin Jasper.

Photo courtesy of the Lawrence Township Police Department.