Prosecutors: Calif. Man Brought Teen Girls To NJ To Work As Prostitutes

ELMWOOD PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Bail is set at $500,000 for a truck driver from California who is accused of bringing two teenage girls to New Jersey to work as prostitutes.

Bogart Velasco, of Fresno, California, is charged with human trafficking, sexual assault, promoting a juvenile in prostitution and child endangerment.

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The Bergen County prosecutor's office said a woman in California called police to say it appeared her niece and another girl, who were reported missing on Sunday, were at a hotel in Elmwood Park based on social media postings.

Police found the girls at the Town House Inn & Suites in Elmwood Park and took them into custody, authorities said.

After interviewing the girls, ages 13 and 15, police determined they were driven to New Jersey to make money as prostitutes, authorities said. Police also said Velasco had sex with the girls.

Velasco was later arrested. The teens are now in the care and custody of the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency.

The investigation is ongoing.

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