Four men have been charged in New Jersey in connection with a human trafficking scheme that forced two women to engage in commercial sex acts, according to Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Criminal Justice. On Friday, officials announced multiple charges against Keith B. Wo odson, 40, of Camden, New Jersey; Lee A. Byrd, 62, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Raymond H. Cooper, 48, of Sicklerville, New Jersey; and Andre A. Lindsey, 41, of Woodlynne, New Jersey, in connection with the human trafficking investigation. “This indictment describes a cycle of violence and abuse that was used to force the victims into prostitution,” said Attorney General Davenport. “People engaged in human trafficking exploit vulnerable victims for financial gain, and we will always work to hold them accountable and provide help and support to the victims.” According to officials, the investigation centers on Woodson. Investigators said Woodson forced at least two victims to perform sexual acts with multiple men in exchange for narcotics and money. Woodson allegedly posted ads featuring pictures of the first victim on illicit websites and solicited men from bars and stores. According to officials, Woodson rented hotel rooms and bought supplies, then arranged meetings between his first victim and men, and then collected money paid to the victim. He also allegedly expected the victim to perform these acts for four to five men per day, Monday through Friday. The victim performed the sexual acts out of fear of repercussions, including forced starvation and physical abuse, said investigators. Woodson also allegedly threatened violence against the victim’s family. Woodson is also accused of meeting the second victim as she got off of a bus in Camden, telling her he could show her how to make $1,000 a day. The second victim was allegedly dependent on narcotics and was supplied drugs by Woodson in exchange for commercial sexual acts, investigators said. According to investigators, Woodson told the second victim she would not see her family if she did not perform the sexual acts. He also allegedly choked the victim until she passed out and threatened the lives of her and her family. Prosecutors said Woodson had three associates: Byrd, Cooper and Lindsey. The three men allegedly trafficked the first victim, transporting her to hotels to perform the sexual acts and collecting money paid to her. The men also carried guns, officials said. Cooper allegedly gave Woodson drugs that were provided to the second victim, investigators said. Woodson, Byrd, Cooper and Lindsey have been charged with first-degree racketeering, human trafficking by threat of harm, and human trafficking by drug facilitation. The men have also been charged with third-degree conspiracy to promote prostitution and conspiracy to commit financial facilitation of criminal activity. In New Jersey, first-degree crimes carry sentences of 10 to 20 years in state prison, and a fine of up to $200,000. Third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in prison, and a fine of up to $15,000. ...read more read less