TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - State authorities say a northern New Jersey man accused of running a high-priced prostitution ring has pleaded guilty to a human trafficking charge.
Percival Williams of Edison faces a 10-year state prison term when he’s sentenced April 2. His girlfriend, Chanell “Asha” Vaughn, also pleaded guilty in the case on Monday and will likely receive probation.
The 36-year-old Williams pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit human trafficking and promoting prostitution. His plea deal calls for him to receive a 10-year sentence on the conspiracy charge, and a concurrent four-year term on the promoting prostitution count.
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Williams admitted that he conspired with others to lure women to New Jersey, where he forced them into a life of prostitution by threats of violence. He had been indicted last November on 10 counts, including human trafficking, kidnapping and racketeering, and faced a potential life term if convicted on all counts.
Prosecutors say Williams abducted a woman from Cleveland. After he couldn’t persuade her to move to New York with him, he allegedly laced her drink with a narcotic that caused her to pass out. While she was unconscious, he allegedly drove her to New Jersey against her will, where he attempted to force her to work as a prostitute.
The 24-year-old Vaughn, who had faced four counts, pleaded guilty to promoting prostitution.
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