Prostitutes Passaic
Passaic County, New Jersey, has seen numerous prostitution-related arrests and investigations in recent years. Law enforcement agencies frequently target operations ranging from street-level solicitation to illicit businesses. Several significant operations stand out:
- July 2025: An Elizabeth woman was among eight dancers charged in an unspecified incident. Separately, six women were arrested on prostitution charges in Passaic County.
- December 2024: Eighteen people were arrested in a widespread prostitution bust across the county. Authorities seized over $22,000. Four women were specifically charged with promoting prostitution, and $9,500 was seized at two businesses.
- April 2019: A multi-agency operation in Wayne led to the arrest of four individuals on prostitution-related charges.
- May 2015: Eighteen people were arrested in a county-wide sweep. Authorities also seized cash. In a separate but related operation, eight NJ massage parlors were busted for allegedly running a prostitution ring.
- April 2019: Paterson saw 57 men and women arrested in a prostitution sting operation.
- February 2019: Twenty prostitutes were arrested in a sheriff’s “quality of life” sweep.
- 2018/2019: Multiple busts occurred at spas. Four people were arrested at two Passaic County spas in one takedown. Another operation netted four arrests at spas. The state announced probes into spas after an owner was charged with running a prostitution house.
- Undercover Stings: Woodland Park police arrested four people soliciting prostitution. Another sting at Passaic County spas also led to four arrests.
Enforcement Focus Areas
Law enforcement efforts often focus on specific areas and business types. South Peabody Street was known for activity. Spas and massage parlors are frequent targets (e.g., Blush Gentlemen’s Club, Silk Gentlemens Club, Platinum Dollz were mentioned in connection with ads or locations). Motels have also been sites of busts.
Legal Landscape and Resources
The legal landscape involves defense attorneys specializing in prostitution and sex offenses throughout Passaic County towns like Paterson, Clifton, Wayne, Woodland Park, Little Falls, Haledon, and Hawthorne. Specific charges include soliciting prostitution, promoting prostitution, and related offenses. A December 2024 court ruling clarified that answering prostitution ads does not constitute trafficking. Options like Pre-trial Intervention (PTI) exist to potentially avoid a conviction.
Other notable incidents include a trial for the murder of a male prostitute; a Passaic County man charged with sex trafficking of a minor; a New Jersey man charged with sexual assault after exchanging messages with an undercover officer posing as a prostitute; a former group home worker pleading not guilty to sex charges; a Vernon man accused of running a sex ring; and two former college basketball players arrested in a prostitution investigation. Community resources include a Text-A-Tip line for the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office and support services like the New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women and domestic abuse hotlines.
*TAGS* – promoting prostitution charges, undercover solicitation stings, Pre-trial Intervention options
