A retired state corrections officer is charged with sexually assaulting a teen victim of human trafficking.
Kurt Young, 52, was arrested Tuesday for having sex with the 14-year-old girl in his home.
The girl was allegedly trafficked by an Atlantic County man and woman already jailed on charges including first-degree human trafficking. BreakingAC previously reported the arrests of Tiffany Davis and Derrick Ross.
After her arrest, Davis told investigators that she regularly sent females to Young's South Dennis Township home for sex, including the 14-year-old victim, according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by BreakingAC.
Investigators obtained cell phone communication between Davis and Young revealed discussions consistent with prostitution-related crimes, the affidavit said.
“This case involves a situation that is tragically all too familiar, where a vulnerable young victim is trapped in a life of sexual slavery,” Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said. “We will never cease in our efforts to rescue these victims and bring those who brutally exploit them to justice.”
The victim was able to positively identify Young in a photo array, according to the statement. A search of Young's home also matched the description the girl gave of its interior.
The affidavit quotes Young's reaction after learning the investigators had obtained a search warrant of his home after establishing probable cause that he had engaged in sex with a 14-year-old girl.
"(Expletive)! I'm so f-----," he is quoted as saying.
Young is currently in the Cape May County Jail.
“Human trafficking transcends the laws we have on the books," said Col. Patrick Callahan, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. "These are not crimes against state or country; they are crimes against humanity.”
Division of Criminal Justice Director Veronica Allende said it's important for people to report if they suspect human trafficking.
“Because these crimes are often hidden from view and victims feel powerless to escape their traffickers, we urge members of the public to call our human trafficking hotline if they see a child or teenager in suspicious circumstances,” she said.
Anyone who suspects human trafficking should call the Division of Criminal Justice’s confidential Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-END-NJ-HT.
Editor's note: This story originally ran Jan. 30. It has been updated with details from the affidavit of probable cause.
