Grand Jury Indicts Suspect in South Jersey Human Trafficking Case Involving Minor

New Jersey Law Enforcement Announce Multiple Charges Against Alleged Trafficker

MORRISTOWN, NJ – In a major development in the fight against human trafficking in New Jersey, a state grand jury has indicted Nieem Johnson, 40, on multiple charges including human trafficking and sexual assault. The announcement was made by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), as New Jersey observes Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

This indictment comes after a teenage girl reportedly escaped from a hotel in Burlington County, where she was allegedly held captive and subjected to sex trafficking. Johnson, with a last-known address in Philadelphia, faces a 16-count indictment. The charges include two counts of human trafficking (1st degree), conspiracy (1st degree), and promoting prostitution of a minor (1st degree), among others. Thomas Fulcher, 54, of Marlton, identified as Johnson's alleged co-defendant, has been charged with sexual assault and engaging in prostitution with a minor.

Johnson's arrest on August 31, 2023, in Atlantic City, concluded a months-long investigation led by detectives from the New Jersey State Police and DCJ. The investigation began with a report to the Bordentown Township Police Department on March 3, 2023, and later revealed an online advertisement allegedly linking Johnson to offering the juvenile for prostitution.

Attorney General Platkin condemned the alleged actions, emphasizing the state's commitment to prosecuting the defendants to the fullest extent of the law. J. Stephen Ferketic, Director of DCJ, highlighted the severity of the exploitation and abuse suffered by the victims.

Currently, Johnson is detained at the Atlantic County Correctional Facility, awaiting trial in Superior Court in Atlantic County, while Fulcher has been released pending trial. Convictions on first-degree charges can lead to up to 20 years in state prison, while second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years, and third-degree charges result in three to five years in prison.

The case, led by NJSP Detective Michael Fama, is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Elizabeth Vogelsong-Parvin from the Human Trafficking Unit of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, under the supervision of DCJ Deputy Director Theresa L. Hilton.