A coordinated vice sweep by the Secaucus Police Department’s Detective Division and Anti-Crime Unit resulted in the arrest of six individuals on various prostitution and narcotics charges, marking a significant enforcement operation aimed at reducing vice-related crimes throughout the town.
The operation took place on Thursday as part of a targeted effort to combat illegal prostitution activities and drug distribution networks operating within Secaucus boundaries.
Operation Timeline and Arrests
The sting began at 6:55 p.m. when detectives arrested Jessica Basto-Guevara, 27, of Long Island City, New York. She was charged with promoting prostitution and engaging in prostitution. Basto-Guevara was processed, issued a complaint summons, and released from police custody pending future court appearances.
Later that evening, at 9:32 p.m., a larger confrontation led to the arrest of three additional individuals, several of whom had outstanding criminal warrants from other jurisdictions.
Niia Billups, 29, of Montclair, was arrested for engaging in prostitution and possession of a controlled dangerous substance believed to be cocaine. Officers discovered Billups had an active, no-bail outstanding warrant out of Newark, resulting in her being issued a complaint warrant and transported directly to Hudson County Jail.
During the same incident, Shante Westley, 38, of Maplewood, N.J., faced a litany of charges including engaging in prostitution, promoting prostitution, possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and evidence tampering. Westley also held an outstanding $750 warrant from East Orange, which released her on her own recognizance before Secaucus police released her on a complaint summons.
Deonte Hobson, 26, of Newark, was also arrested during this confrontation for hindering apprehension after allegedly providing false information to officers. Hobson held a $2,500 warrant out of Newark and a $1,500 warrant out of Union, both featuring 10% options. Both municipalities released Hobson on her own recognizance, and she was issued a complaint summons and released by Secaucus authorities.
Final Arrests Include Felony Charges
The operation concluded at 9:57 p.m. with the arrests of two final suspects who faced additional felony charges, including money laundering.
Andrew Balladres-Anchundia, 20, of Newark, was charged with promoting prostitution, engaging in prostitution, and conspiracy to commit distribution of cocaine.
Karl Saway, 27, of West Orange, was hit with multiple serious offenses, including possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and money laundering under New Jersey statute 2C:21-25a.
Both Balladres-Anchundia and Saway were issued complaint summonses and released from custody pending future court appearances.
Law Enforcement Statement
The Secaucus Police Department emphasized that this operation represents a continued commitment to addressing vice-related crimes in the community. The Detective Division’s Anti-Crime Unit conducted the sweep following intelligence gathering and community reports regarding ongoing prostitution and narcotics activities.
Police Chief Dennis Miller has previously stated that prostitution enforcement remains a priority for the Secaucus Police Department, with the department recording 21 arrests related to prostitution in recent years, slightly surpassing the 19 arrests made in previous years.
Charges and New Jersey Statutes
The arrested individuals face charges under various New Jersey criminal statutes:
- Engaging in Prostitution: 2C:34-1B(8)
- Promoting Prostitution: 2C:34-1B(2)
- Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance (Cocaine): 2C:35-10A(1)
- Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine: 2C:35-5B(2)
- Conspiracy to Commit Distribution of Cocaine: 2C:5-2
- Money Laundering: 2C:21-25A
- Hindering Apprehension: Related to providing false information to officers
Community Impact and Next Steps
All six individuals are pending future court appearances in Hudson County. The Secaucus Police Department indicated that additional enforcement operations may be conducted as part of their ongoing vice reduction strategy.
Residents who observe suspicious activity related to prostitution or drug distribution are encouraged to contact the Secaucus Police Department’s non-emergency line to report information that may assist ongoing investigations.
This enforcement action follows previous vice sweeps in Secaucus, including a notable December 2021 operation at AJ’s Go-Go Bar that resulted in nine arrests and the confiscation of over $40,000 in cash and narcotics following a six-month investigation.
The Secaucus Police Department continues to prioritize combatting financial crime connected to illegal activities, including money laundering operations that fund prostitution and drug distribution networks throughout Hudson County.