A man and woman accused of forcing another woman into prostitution will remain jailed as their case goes through the system.
Colin Sherwood and Jamy Magier-Mathis are accused of selling sex while staying at a motel in Atlantic City with the alleged victim.
The victim told police she was beaten to the point of losing consciousness about two weeks ago, and that she woke up to Sherwood putting cool water on her face and telling her she now sold a sexual body part, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
Sherwood's attorney denied the allegations, saying that the woman is Sherwood's girlfriend who is pregnant with the man's 10th child.
"The state has a very, very weak case," attorney Robert Johnson said. "It’s probably nonexistent in regard to the human trafficking charge."
The victim called Sherwood's brother denying she made the allegations, Johnson said, adding that the co-defendant in the case indicated the victim is her longtime friend and has a drug issue.
But texts between Sherwood and Mathis, both 44, seem to back up the woman's claims that the two were engaged in promoting prostitution, Judge William Miller noted.
In the texts, Sherwood would send pictures of girls, along with their names, phone numbers and hourly prices, according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by BreakingAC.
Magier-Mathis would confirm that she posted these things on a known prostitution personals site
called Mega Personals, often sending back screen shots of what was posted, the affidavit reads.
The public safety assessment, used to help determine whether a defendant is held under bail reform, marked both defendants at the lowest risk and recommended they be released.
But the judge said that recommendation did not take into account the gravity of the allegations or the criminal history the two have out of other states.
Both have addresses listed in New York state, although Sherwood's attorney said he has an Atlantic City address.
Sherwood and Mathis have prior criminal charges out of New York, as well.
Mathis also has a criminal record in Georgia, according to information provided during her hearing.
Sherwood's criminal history includes drug charges out of Arizona and Virginia.
The judge said the movement through several states makes both a flight risk, and also may back the allegations.
"I’m not saying it is, but it can be consistent with a prostitution ring, where you move from state to state," Miller said.
The two will remain jailed pending their cases going through court.
