Prosecutor: Pimp Recruited 17-Year-Old Girl into Human Trafficking Scheme

A 21-year-old Elizabeth man said to be a "driver and pimp" for a 17-year-old girl is being held on $200,000 bail for recruiting the teen to work as a prostitute in Parsippany, the Star-Ledger reported. 

Wendy Archelus, who is male, was arrested by Parsippany Police Thursday, the article said. According to Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Meg Rodriguez, he faces charges on two first-degree crimes, human trafficking and promoting child prostitution, and third-degree child endangerment. The trafficking charge alone could net him up to 20 years behind bars if he is convicted, according to the article. 

Archelus allegedly gave the teenager a phone she used to arrange a meeting with someone who turned out to be a police officer. Officials also accuse the man of driving the girl to a Parsippany hotel and corroborating the allegations, Rodriguez said at a bail hearing held Wednesday in Morris County Superior Court in Morristown. The article added that the judge reduced bail to $200,000 with a 10 percent option from an initial quarter-million without the option after the man convinced said he is employed and has ties to the community.