13 people were charged in connection with a New Jersey human trafficking operation
Authorities said they rescued 15 victims after an investigation that lasted more than a year.
New Jersey authorities have arrested 13 people in connection with an alleged human trafficking ring that operated in Central and South Jersey, and rescued 15 victims after an investigation that lasted more than a year.
Two men — Shalaby Hicks, 48, of Pennsauken, and Nathaniel Clay, 49, of Mount Laurel — are believed to have been the ringleaders of the organization, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said in a statement. The group allegedly operated in counties including Burlington, Camden, Middlesex, and Ocean, and also distributed narcotics such as crack cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, authorities said.
“The physical and emotional abuse of human trafficking leaves scars that stay with victims for the rest of their lives,” Davenport said. “It is our mission to relentlessly pursue those who exploit others.”
In addition to Hicks and Clay, the 11 other people charged are all New Jersey residents who range in age from 20 to 57. All face charges including racketeering, conspiracy, human trafficking, and drug violations. With the ring’s breakup, 15 victims, aged 29 to 52, have been recovered, Davenport said.
The investigation began in January 2025, and was headed up by the New Jersey State Police’s Human Trafficking Unit. Hicks and Clay, authorities said, had established a “program” in which their victims were forced to engage in commercial sex acts, and were provided food, lodging, and other necessities in exchange. Money generated by the ring was allegedly given to Hicks and Clay, who could face sentences of up to life in prison if convicted.
Hicks and Clay, authorities said, also provided their victims with drugs, and forced them to sell the substances to clients. The victims, authorities added, were also required to post online advertisements for commercial sex acts.
On May 7, police executed a search warrant on a Pennsauken hotel room from which authorities believed Hicks controlled the operation. At the time, Hicks was present, and authorities recovered nearly 8 ounces of crack cocaine, 5 ounces of fentanyl, and more than 3 ounces of methamphetamine.
Search warrants executed at three other homes and two other hotels led to the recovery of 15 victims, authorities said.
Investigators allege that Hicks, along with fellow defendants Anthony Hicks Simms, 51, and Bernard Dandridge, 56, supplied the ring with cocaine. Dandridge was arrested with 14 ounces of cocaine, two handguns, and a ghost-gun assault rifle in his possession.
Clay, officials said, operated out of a Maple Shade hotel room, and was arrested while in possession of a handgun.
“These traffickers prey on human lives for personal profit and have no regard for the devastation they cause to victims, families, and communities,” said Jeanne Hengemuhle, acting superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. ”These arrests send a clear message: this exploitation will not be tolerated in our communities.”
