Runaway Teen Recovered In Essex County Hotel Prostitution Bust: East Orange Resident Charged

Undercover police recovered a 16-year-old runaway female allegedly being prostituted at a Fairfield area hotel during a sting operation last week, authorities said.

Officers arrested 10 people - including residents from East Orange, Newark and Cedar Grove - during Thursday’s bust for offenses ranging from prostitution to drug possession, Fairfield police stated.

In addition, officers seized an imitation firearm, a small quantity of marijuana and Percocet, three vehicles and approximately $2,700 in cash.

The undercover operation was part of the Fairfield Police Department’s joint, on-going efforts with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and their “Innocence Lost National Initiative,” authorities stated.

Since becoming involved in this initiative, the Fairfield Police Department has conducted approximately eight similar joint investigations that have resulted in the recovery of three minors, authorities said.

Recently, the department received a citation from the F.B.I. commending their efforts.

Also assisting in the operation were investigators from the New Jersey State Police, the Essex and Hudson County Prosecutors’ Offices, and from the Caldwell, Essex Fells, Montville, North Caldwell and Pequannock Police Departments.

“There are real young people who should be enjoying their teen years rather than being placed in a hotel room in Fairfield for the purposes of prostitution” said Fairfield Police Chief Anthony Manna.

The following individuals were arrested on Thursday:

• Jackie Cotton-Pearson (35) of East Orange, N.J. for first degree promoting prostitution of a minor, possession of a fraudulent drivers license and possession of Percoet
• Janae Fussell (18) of Newark, N.J. for first degree promoting prostitution of a minor and engaging in prostitution.
• Oshane Crooks (30) of Brooklyn, N.Y. for promoting prostitution and possession of drug paraphernalia
• Jasmine Crisp (19) of Newark, N.J. for engaging in prostitution
• Katherine Soland (25) of Elmwood Park, N.J. for engaging in prostitution and possession of drug paraphernalia
• Jessica Burns (38) of Brooklyn, N.Y. for promoting prostitution and possession of an imitation firearm
• Roberta Lombardi (43) of Cedar Grove, N.J. for engaging in prostitution
• Unique Andrews (19) of New York, N.Y. for promoting and engaging in prostitution
• Antoniese Nguyen (22) of Atlanta, Ga. for promoting and engaging in prostitution
• Shennette Munroe (25) of Brooklyn, N.Y. for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia