Prosecutor: Area Man Charged with Promoting Prostitution of Teen

A local man has been arrested and charged with promoting the prostitution of a child, criminal sexual contact, child endangerment and various related charges in connection with the alleged prostitution of a teen at Tinton Falls motel, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Monday.

Jerome L. Harbour, 41, has been charged with: first-degree promoting prostitution of a child, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child via sexual conduct, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child via non-sexual conduct, third-degree hindering apprehension, four third-degree narcotics offenses, fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, and fourth-degree obstruction of justice.

If convicted of the first-degree charges alone, he could face up to 20 years in state prison.

On Wednesday, Nov. 16, Tinton Falls police received information that a 17-year-old female may be in crisis somewhere in the area of Eatontown or Tinton Falls. A subsequent search of the area led officers to a motel near the interchange of Route 18, Route 36, and the Garden State Parkway. When officers knocked on the door of the room where Harbour was staying, he denied any knowledge of the whereabouts of the teen in question, but moments later she was found hidden in his room.

The victim was then taken to safety, and a subsequent investigation involving members of the MCPO Special Victims Bureau and the Tinton Falls Police Department uncovered evidence leading to the aforementioned criminal charges, including information that Harbour had discarded the victim’s cell phone in a neighboring town. In addition, a search of Harbour’s room uncovered quantities of suspected cocaine, oxycodone, and two types of prescription tranquilizers.

Harbour was transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending an initial appearance and detention hearing in Monmouth County Superior Court.

Anyone with information about this matter or Harbour’s recent activities is asked to contact MCPO Detective Kayla Santiago at 800-533-7443 or Tinton Falls Police Department Detective Sergeant Daniel Osofsky at 732-542-4422.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about this or any crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available on iOS and Android – https://www.p3tips.com/1182), by calling 800-671-4400, or by going to the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office