Man, 75, Pleads Not Guilty in Senior Citizen Drug and Prostitution Case

The 75-year-old Englewood resident charged in a drug and prostitution sting at a city senior citizen housing complex pleaded not guilty in municipal court Wednesday.

James Parham entered his plea on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a nuisance charges before Englewood Judge James Dow. Parham also declined a public defender.

"God is my attorney," Parham told the judge, NorthJersey.com reported.

“I’m broke right now. If I was promoting prostitution, I’d have money,” he reportedly said after his arraignment.

Parham also said he wouldn't represent himself and does not plan to hire an attorney, but Dow appointed a public defender for Parham. He was released without bail.

Parham and his fifth-floor neighbor Cheryl Chaney, 66, were arrested in April after an undercover operation designed to root out drug and prostitution activity at the city's 152-unit Vincente K. Tibbs Senior Citizen Building on West Street, officials have said. 

Authorities have said Parham admitted to hooking up fellow residents with prostitutes, described as mostly crack-addicted women from the area.

Chaney faces charges including possession of a crack cocaine pipe. A third person, 54-year-old suspended city crossing guard Selma McDuffie, was also accused of having a crack pipe at the senior center. The two are scheduled to appear in court June 6, officials said.

Englewood Police Chief Arthur O'Keefe has assigned a team of officers to monitor the complex and field tips from residents.

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