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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Office of Public Information (609) 882-2000
Capt. Al Della Fave ext. 6514
Lt. Gerald Lewis ext. 6516
Sgt. Stephen Jones ext. 6513
Sgt. Jeanne Hengemuhle ext. 6515

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 08, 2007


 
 
Troopers Arrest Pimp Involved With 14-Year-Old Engaged in Prostitution and Her 16-Year-Old Sister
Girls were on missing persons list, now reunited with parents

Atlantic City, N.J. - New Jersey State Troopers with the Division of Gaming Enforcement arrested Casson L. Coward, 24, of Pleasantville early this morning for his involvement in promoting child prostitution, endangering the welfare of a minor and child pornography. Last night in a Galloway Township hotel, troopers arrested a 14-year-old girl for prostitution and learned that she and her 16-year old sister—both handled by Coward—were listed as missing persons from Allentown, PA.

The 16-year-old sister was found by Philadelphia Police at 3:00 a.m. this morning at Aramingo and Cumberland Avenues after she phoned her parents telling them she was dropped there by another suspect in this prostitution case. She was then taken to State Police in Bellmawr, N.J. who transported her to Atlantic City to meet her parents. The parents had been summoned to pick up their 14-year-old daughter after her arrest.

The case began when State Police detectives arranged for an undercover trooper to meet with a prostitute found on craigslist.com, a website that offers a variety of classified-type ads. The girls identified Coward as the one who had listed their services on craigslist.com, complete with nude photographs and contact numbers. Coward had met them in Allentown, PA and transported them in his Cadillac to Atlantic City.

Because of the interstate nature of the allegations, New Jersey State Police asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation to get involved. Agents from the Linwood, N.J. FBI office are actively assisting with the case. This morning they towed Coward’s vehicle, which is pending a search warrant.

Coward was lodged in the Atlantic County Jail on $150,000 bail, which was set by Judge Christopher Brown of Galloway Township Municipal Court. Coward was arrested at his father’s residence after State Police T.E.A.M.S. (tactical unit) made entry to the house and found him hiding in a closet.

State Police are working with other law enforcement agencies to try to determine whether there are any other juveniles involved in this prostitution operation.

Hamilton Township and Pleasantville police departments assisted with this case. Troopers have also been working with Atlantic City P.D. on prostitution details.

Casson L. Coward


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