An Atlantic City man who allegedly used threats, violence and drugs to force women into prostitution was ordered held pending trial Thursday.
Tahir Gregory, 38, is accused of the human-trafficking of two women who told investigators that he not only regularly threatened violence, but acted on those threats, Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Buckley told the judge.
One alleged victim said she saw Gregory "beat other girls as if they were grown men," according to an account read in court.
When one of the women tried to leave him, Gregory put a "bounty" on her head, Buckley told Superior Court Judge Donna Taylor.
He posted the woman's picture on Facebook, writing: "Anybody seen this (expletive)" with dollar signs, Buckley said. That post was saved as evidence.
When he did track her down, Gregory allegedly dragged the woman by her hair and locked her in a closet long enough so that she urinated.
But defense attorney Joe Swift said Gregory is a lifelong Atlantic City resident with ties to the community who "wants to go to trial to defend his name."
The investigation began when a woman overdosed and died in his bathroom, Buckley told Taylor. During questioning, the two victims came forward.
Gregory already was on probation when he was arrested on gun and drug charges back in February, according to information released in court. He was granted release at that time, despite the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office calling for him to be detained.
In April, he was put on an ankle bracelet to monitor him because of the parole violation.
But on his third time in her courtroom about his release, Superior Court Judge Donna Taylor ordered Gregory held.
