Essex County Man Convicted for Sex Trafficking Minors into NJ from Multiple States

Amin Sharif, 49, faces life in prison for trafficking a minor and other prostitution-related crimes.

NEWARK, N.J. - An Essex County man has been convicted of multiple charges related to sex trafficking and prostitution, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Amin Sharif, 49, of Newark, was found guilty on July 25, 2024, of attempted transportation with intent to engage in prostitution, sex trafficking of a minor, use of an interstate facility to promote unlawful activity, transporting a victim with intent to engage in prostitution, and persuading a victim to travel to engage in prostitution. The verdict followed a seven-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court.

The investigation, which began in January 2021, revealed that Sharif transported and attempted to transport women and minors from New York, Pennsylvania, Idaho, and Utah to New Jersey and other locations for commercial sex acts. Using five social media accounts under various aliases—Dallas Love, Chance, Razzile Dazzile, Truman Peterman, and “Daddy”—Sharif lured victims with promises of housing, bill payments, and potential earnings of thousands of dollars per day. He advertised the minor victim online, offering her for sexual services.

At the time of these offenses, Sharif was on supervised release for a previous conviction for conspiracy to transport a minor for prostitution, for which he had served a 10-year prison sentence.

Sharif now faces severe penalties: a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life for sex trafficking of a minor, up to 30 years for transporting victims with intent to engage in prostitution, and up to 60 years for persuading a victim to travel for prostitution. Additionally, each charge carries a potential fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for November 5, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the FBI Newark Field Office, led by Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy, for their investigation. He also acknowledged the support of the FBI offices in Rochester, New York; Houston, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; and the Dansville Police Department.

The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Farhana C. Melo and Chelsea D. Coleman of the Criminal Division in Newark.