Eleana Kuzel is the only Atlantic County resident named in the human-trafficking operation. She was the alleged leaders "bottom b--ch," according to the charges, which is the term for the top prostitute who serves as second-in-command.
A Ventnor woman with a history of drug and prostitution arrests is accused of being a high-ranking member of a human-trafficking ring that spanned multiple counties throughout the state.
Eleana Kuzel, 30, is one of 13 people arrested in the case, the Attorney General's Office announced Friday.
Searches of three residences and three hotels led 15 victims recovered, according to the office.
“The physical and emotional abuse of human trafficking leaves scars that stay with victims for the rest of their lives,” Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said. “It is our mission to relentlessly pursue those who exploit others. Anyone who engages in this kind of criminal activity should know one thing: you will be held accountable.”
Shalaby Hicks, 48, of Pennsauken, Camden County, and Nathaniel Clay, 49, of Mount Laurel, Burlington County, allegedly led the program, from Jan. 1, 2025 to the present.
The enterprise advertised the women's sexual services on websites like skipthegames.com and megapersonals.eu, forcing the victims to post advertisements of themselves, using drugs and threats.
The women would turn over all of their earnings to the "program,"[ and in exchange would get lodging, food, transportation and drugs.
Clay allegedly controlled the portion Burlington County area, operating out of a Maple Shade hotel, with male managers working under him.
At the time of his arrest, Clay allegedly was in possession of a handgun.
But it was Hicks' portion of the enterprise out of Camden County that Kuzel allegedly helped run.
She was Hicks' second-in-command or "bottom b--ch" from mid-March through April of this year, the affidavit of probable cause states.
On March 20, she allegedly discussed providing drugs to one person, then later that day forced one of the victim's into a room to speak with Hicks "and would threaten to harm her for failing to provide Hicks' money," the affidavit states.
Hicks was in a hotel room when law enforcement came with a search warrant May 7. Approximately 7.79 ounces of suspected crack cocaine, 5 ounces of fentanyl, and 3.77 ounces of methamphetamine were recovered, along with drug paraphernalia and approximately $5,000 in cash.
Hicks' other managers included Amber Temean, 43, of Mount Laurel; Deena Turner, 35, of Delanco, and Kelley Plotts, 44, of Stratford
Turner allegedly helped in photographing the victims and posting online commercial sex advertisements.
“Human trafficking is a cruel and predatory crime that targets the most vulnerable members of our society, leaving victims with lasting physical, emotional, and psychological trauma,” acting State Police Superintendent Jeanne Hengemuhle said. “These traffickers prey on human lives for personal profit and have no regard for the devastation they cause to victims, families, and communities.
"The New Jersey State Police remain unwavering in our commitment to combating human trafficking, protecting those at risk, and ensuring those responsible are brought to justice," she continued. "These arrests send a clear message: this exploitation will not be tolerated in our communities.”
Kuzel is charged with 11 counts, including first-degree charges of racketeering, human trafficking and conspiracy to commit human trafficking.
She currently is in the Atlantic County Justice Facility, where she has been in and out for mostly drug cases,with at least two brief stays last year, including a cocaine charge out of Atlantic City, records show.
Anthony Hicks Simms, 51, of Camden, and Bernard Dandridge, 56, of Sicklerville were allegedly cocaine suppliers for the enterprise.
Hicks would cook the powder cocaine into crack, which was supplied to all the victims, according to the charges.
Dandridge also allegedly used his residence to manufacture cocaine. At the time of his arrest, he was in possession of 14 ounces of cocaine, two handguns and an assault ghost gun rifle, according to the charges.
Nicholas Bray, 38, of Haddon Heights, and Michael Amoroso, 20, of Riverside, were arrested for drug possession.
Clay's male managers are named as Raymond Endress, 57, of Mount Holly; Shawn Williams, 48, of Lindenwold, and Richard Wood, 34, of Burlington.
“This takedown reflects the power of coordinated law enforcement efforts, working together to dismantle trafficking networks,” said Department of Criminal Justice Director Theresa L. Hilton. “These cases can be complicated, requiring cooperation across agencies and disciplines to protect survivors and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.”
The New Jersey State Police’s Human Trafficking Unit led the investigation with Detective Anthony Duncan, Detective Sgt. Mark Wettengel and Lt. Ricardo Diaz.
Deputy Attorneys General Amie Hyde and Robert Guarni are prosecuting the case for the Division, with assistance from Deputy Attorney General Lisa Queen, under the supervision of Deputy Chief Veronica Daddario and Bureau Chief Cassandra Montalto.
Davenport thanked the Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Offices; the Montgomery County (Pennsylvania) District Attorney’s Office; the Maple Shade, Mount Laurel, Pennsauken, and Totowa Police Departments; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their assistance with the investigation. Attorney General Davenport also thanks the providers who rendered services to the victims in this case: Volunteers of America, Operation Rise, Hoving Home, and Inspira Jefferson for medical services.
The charge of first-degree human trafficking carries a sentence of 20 years to life with a mandatory period of parole ineligibility of 20 years, and a fine of as much as $200,000.
Other first-degree crimes carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a maximum $200,000 fine. Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a as much as $150,000 fine. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a maximum $15,000 fine.
