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Mickael Derius
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Terry D. Nero
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Jonathan O. Ramirezs
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Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) announced today that three New Jersey men have been charged with human trafficking and other crimes in connection with their roles in the sexual assault of minors.
Mickael Derius, 30, of Newark, is charged with first-degree human trafficking of a minor; first-degree aggravated sexual assault of a minor by aiding and abetting; first-degree promoting prostitution of a minor; two counts of second-degree sexual assault of a minor; and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Terry D. Nero, 44, of Elizabeth, is charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault of a minor by aiding and abetting; four counts of second-degree sexual assault of a minor; second-degree promoting prostitution of a minor, and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Jonathan O. Ramirez, 29, of East Orange, is charged with four counts of first-degree manufacturing and filming the sexual assault of a minor; second-degree sexual assault of a minor; and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
“Crimes like those we are charging against these defendants, committed against our vulnerable children, are appalling,” said Acting Attorney General Davenport. “We allege the defendants in this case targeted a 13-year-old child for prostitution and sexually assaulted her. These are crimes that affect their victims for the rest of their lives. My office will always prioritize protecting our children.”
“This case points to the dangers our children can face today,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “The Division of Criminal Justice will pursue and prosecute offenders who traffic or assault children and record images of those assaults.”
“The charges filed against these three defendants underscore the brutal reality of crimes that target our most vulnerable—our children,” said Lieutenant Colonel David Sierotowicz, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of minors are among the most disturbing offenses we investigate, and they demand an aggressive, uncompromising response. Protecting children is not optional; it is our obligation. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue these investigations and hold those responsible fully accountable.”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, on August 19, 2025, members of the New Jersey State Police Human Trafficking Unit (NJSP HTU) were contacted by the Newark Police Department (NPD) regarding a missing 13-year-old juvenile. NPD advised that they had information that the juvenile, who was under the custody of the New Jersey Division of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P), was being trafficked.
Members of the NJSP HTU and the East Orange Police Department located the victim who identified Derius as the individual who picked her up in his car in Newark while the victim was walking with a friend. The victim and her friend were allegedly sexually assaulted by Derius and an unidentified adult male. Derius paid the minor victim $300.
Derius would allegedly arrange to pick up the victim and her friend for commercial sex. The victim met with Derius three times to engage in commercial sex.
During the months of July and August of 2025, Derius was allegedly setting the victim up on “plays” with other men to perform commercial sex, including on one occasion, with co-defendant Nero.
Ramirez allegedly told investigators he met the victim through social media and allegedly sexually assaulted the victim starting in February 2025 and recorded those assaults.
The prosecution is being handled by DCJ Deputy Attorney General Lisa Queen.
First-degree crimes carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000.
Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
The charges and accusations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone who suspects that individuals are engaged in sex- or labor-related human trafficking should confidentially report such activity by calling the Division of Criminal Justice’s 24-hour NJ Human Trafficking Hotline 1-855-END-NJ-HT. In addition, members of the public who suspect improper contact by persons communicating with children on the Internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children can contact the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Tipline at 888-648-6007.
