Prosecutor: Man Employed Prostitutes - Ages 13 And 15 - In Bergen County

A 53-year-old man was busted Wednesday for recruiting and employing two girls - one 13-years-old, the other 15 - to work as prostitutes in a human-trafficking scheme in Bergen County, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

Bogard Velasco of Fresno, Calif. was charged after the criminal operation was uncovered in Elmwood Park, according to the BCPO.

At approximately 9:09 p.m. on Wednesday, the Elmwood Park Police Department received a telephone call from a woman in Fresno, Calif., reporting that her niece and another juvenile girl had been reported missing on Sunday, Aug. 23, according to the BCPO.

Based on social media postings, it was believed that the girls, ages 13 and 15, were at a hotel in Elmwood Park. Upon checking the local hotels, Elmwood Park police officers located the two teenage girls at the Town House Inn & Suites at 50 Route 46 East, according to the BCPO.

The missing girls were taken into custody. Interviews and further investigation revealed that the girls were in the company of Velasco when they left Fresno, and drove to New Jersey to make money through prostitution, according to the BCPO.

The investigation revealed that arrangements and opportunities for prostitution in New Jersey were promoted by Velasco, and the victims were used in an ongoing illicit operation. It was also determined that Velasco had sexual relations with both victims at different times while in New Jersey, according to the BCPO.

Both victims are currently in the care and custody of the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency.

Velasco was located in Elmwood Park, and then arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree human trafficking, two counts of second-degree human trafficking, two counts of second-degree sexual assault, two counts of second-degree promoting a juvenile in prostitution, two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of third-degree criminal sexual contact.

The investigation is continuing and investigators are attempting to identify any other victims or employees of this illegal prostitution operation.

Velasco was lodged in the Bergen County Jail on $500,000 bail.