Marc Branch, 39, is accused of running a prostitution and human trafficking ring operation out of his apartment in Ventor, New Jersey. Prosecutors say the ring involved vulnerable young men in their teens or early 20’s. NBC10’s Ted Greenberg reports.
A Ventnor, NJ man was arrested after he allegedly ran a human trafficking and male prostitution ring out of his apartment.
Police say Marc Branch, 39, lured young men, ranging in age from their teens to their early 20s, to his apartment by offering them money, drugs, friendship and shelter. Branch allegedly targeted victims who were estranged from their families.
Credit: Attorney General's Office
Investigators say Branch gave the victims drugs and alcohol. He also prostituted them to male clients who paid up to $200 to engage in sexual acts, according to investigators. Branch also allegedly gave drugs to one victim who is under 18 years of age and allowed a male client to sexually assault him.
Branch solicited clients for his prostitution ring by posting nude photos of the victims on the Internet, according to investigators.
Branch was arrested last Friday around 11 p.m. at his apartment on North Newport Avenue. He is charged with human trafficking, sexual assault, prostituting a minor, and other related offenses. He is being held in the Atlantic County Jail with bail set at $250,000.
