MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Acting Chief/Officer in Command Martin McParland, Jr. of the Rockaway Township Police Department confirmed two Human Trafficking related arrests, on Friday, June 26.
Debbie Kooken, 42, Boonton, was charged with two counts of Human Trafficking, in violation of N.J.S 2C:13-8(a)3, crimes of the first degree and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:24-4(a)1, crimes of the third degree. The defendant was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility.
Aldopus Mims, 38, Morris Plains, was also arrested and charged with two counts of Human Trafficking, in violation of N.J.S 2C:13-8(a)3, crimes of the first degree; one count of Sexual Assault, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:14-2(c)4, a crime of the second degree, and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:24-4(a)1, crimes of the third degree. The defendant was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility.
The alleged victims in this matter are two females, aged 15 and 17, who reported that they were led to engage in prostitution by the two defendants between the dates of June 12 and June 16. The 17 year-old victim alleged that Ms. Kooken would make arrangements for the victims to meet with several male clients at area hotels. Mr. Mims would then allegedly collect the money received after the sexual acts were completed. In addition, the 15 year-old victim disclosed that Mr. Mims engaged in sexual acts with her.
Bail was set for Ms. Kooken by the Honorable James M. DeMarzo at $300,000 cash only, with conditions of no contact with any child under the age of 18. Bail also was set for Mr. Mims by Judge DeMarzo at $400,000 cash only, with conditions of no contact with any child under the age of 18 and a waiver of extradition. Judge DeMarzo also issued a Nicole’s Law Restraining Order against each defendant.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Rockaway Borough Police Department, specifically, Officer Scott Haigh, the Rockaway Township Police Department, specifically, Detective Thomas Takacs; the Town of Boonton Police Department, the Hackettstown Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office – Criminal Investigation Section, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Detective Marshall Wang of the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200 or Det. Thomas Takacs of the Rockaway Township Police Department at (973) 625-4000.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
