MORRIS COUNTY —Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Chief Martin McParland, Jr. of the Rockaway Township Police Department announce the Indictment of Debbie Kooken and Aldophus Mims on charges relating to the Human Trafficking of two underage girls.
Debbie Kooken, 43, Boonton, was indicted on four counts of Human Trafficking, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:13-8(a)3, crimes of the first degree; four counts of Promoting Prostitution, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1b(3), crimes of the first degree; four counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(1), crimes of the third degree; four counts of Conspiracy to Commit Human Trafficking, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 2C:13-8(a), crimes of the second degree; and four counts of Conspiracy to Promote Prostitution, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 2C:34-1b(3), crimes of the second degree. These acts occurred in Rockaway Township and Parsippany Troy-Hills.
Aldophus Mims, 39, Morris Plains, was indicted on four counts of Human Trafficking, in violation N.J.S.A. 2C:13-8(a)3, crimes of the first degree; two counts of Human Trafficking, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:13-8a(1)(g), crimes of the first degree; four counts of Promoting Prostitution, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1b(3), crimes of the first degree; two counts of Sexual Assault, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(c)4, crimes of the second degree; five counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a)1, crimes of the third degree; four counts of Conspiracy to Commit Human Trafficking, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 2C:13-8(a), crimes of the second degree; four counts of Conspiracy to Promote Prostitution, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 2C:34-1b(3), crimes of the second degree; and four counts of Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a, crimes of the third degree. These acts occurred in Parsippany Troy-Hills and Rockaway Township.
The alleged victims in this matter are two females, who were aged 15 and 17 at the time of the alleged acts. These victims reported that they were led to engage in prostitution by the two Defendants between the dates of June 12, 2015 and June 18, 2015. 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 collect the money received after the sexual acts were completed. The 15 year-old victim additionally disclosed that Mr. Mims engaged in sexual acts with her. In addition, both victims alleged that Mr. Mims provided them with heroin during this time period.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Rockaway Borough Police Department, specifically, Officer Scott Haigh, the Rockaway Township Police Department, specifically, Detective Thomas Takas; 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 for their continuing efforts in this investigation and prosecution.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Detective Supervisor Marshall Wang of the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200 or Det. Thomas Takas of the Rockaway Township Police Department at (973) 625-4000.
Editors Note: An indictment is not evidence of guilt and both Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
