Suspected Prostitution At Bergen County Hotel Leads To Human Trafficking Arrest: PD

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Police charged a man with human trafficking and promoting prostitution on Tuesday after they saw a woman head from his vehicle to a Bergen County hotel, they said.

Shahiyd Terry, 32, of Roselle was charged with first-degree trafficking, fourth-degree promoting prostitution, and drug charges, said Mahwah police on Friday.

The police said they were conducting an anti-crime/quality of life detail just after 10:30 p.m. Tuesday when they "became aware of possible prostitution activity in the area," they said.

After a vehicle dropped a woman off at a hotel, the vehicle remained waiting in the parking lot, police said.

Police asked Terry, who was inside the vehicle, to exit, they said. After he did, he refused to comply with police officers' commands, police said.

He then "appeared to be reaching for something and refused to show the officers his hands," police said.

He was told he was under arrest, and a struggle ensued. Police subdued him, they said.

A search of Terry and his vehicle turned up "distribution amounts" of crack cocaine and PCP, according to police.

"Officers were able to determine that Mr. Terry was engaged in the human trafficking of the female party taken into custody at the start of the incident," police said.

Other Charges

Besides trafficking and promoting prostitution, Terry was charged with distributing or dispensing cocaine, distributing or dispensing PCP, possession of cocaine, possession of phencyclidine, and resisting arrest.

He was taken to the Bergen County Jail, where he's being held to await a hearing, police said.

Police asked for anyone who has further information on Terry "or any potential additional victims of human trafficking" to please call
the Detective Bureau at (201) 831-2017.