Two from N.J. charged with sex trafficking a 16-year-old, authorities say

Two people have been charged with sex trafficking of a minor after allegedly advertising the underage girl for sex acts online, officials with the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.
Destiny Tamarato, 26, of Brick and Daquan McCallum, 30, of Elizabeth were charged with sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor, officials said.
Tamarato made her initial appearance in court last Friday and McCallum appeared in federal court Tuesday, officials said. Both were detained after appearing in court, officials said.
In April 2020, Tamarato was arrested at a motel in Elizabeth with two minor victims she had advertised for sexual acts online, authorities said.
One of the victims told authorities she was 16 at the time of Tamarato’s arrest, investigators said in charging documents.
The victims were released into the custody of their guardians. But later in 2020, investigators discovered Tamarato continued advertising the 16-year-old for commercial sex acts online despite being advised the victim was under 18, authorities said.
Between October 2020 and February 2021, investigators found at least 11 advertisements posted online, some of which included images of Tamarato and the teenager, authorities said in charging documents.
Tamarato also introduced the teenager to McCallum in December 2020, who Tamarato worked for and whom then started arranging for the teenager to engage in commercial sex acts, authorities wrote in charging documents.
Tamarato was arrested again in April 2021 for offering the teenager for prostitution, this time in Ocean Township, where authorities had been investigating prostitution in the area, charging documents say.
“The alleged conduct took place several years ago when Ms. Tamarato was much younger,” her attroney Ernesto Cerimele said Wednesday. “She is presumed innocent. We are evaluating the allegations and defenses at this time.”
McCallum’s attorney did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday.
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Matthew Enuco may be reached at [email protected]. Follow Matt on X.