Middlesex Co. Man Lured Out-Of-State Sex Workers, Raped And Beat Them: Feds

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - A Middlesex County man was convicted Wednesday of four counts of persuading, inducing, and enticing out-of-state sex workers to travel to NJ and engage in prostitution, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said.

Jose Torres, 45, whose last known address was North Brunswick, was convicted of all four counts of a second superseding indictment following a six-day trial before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court.

From May 2015 to October 2019, Torres persuaded, induced and enticed women, often commercial sex workers, to travel from out of state locations, including Canada and New York, to engage in prostitution with him, according to court documents.

Torres went on prostitution websites and targeted out-of-state sex workers, authorities said. He lured them to New Jersey with promises of large sums of payment but once the women were in New Jersey, Torres refused to pay them, court documents said.

When the women asked for payment, Torres became aggressive, often assaulting and raping them, according to authorities.

Each charge of coercion and enticement carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 27, 2024.

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