Man Accused of Pimping Teenagers
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A man was arraigned at Queens Supreme Court for forcing two girls, ages 13 and 14,into prostitution, as well as beating and raping them and forcing one of them to get a tattoo featuring his surname: Romeo.
Woodolph Romeo, 25, of 2270 Baylis Ave., Elmont, Nassau County, is accused of luring two Nassau County runaways into the sex trade and forcing them to service up to 15 men a night.
“He is accused of violating, degrading, and exploiting them by repeatedly sexually attacking and beating them and then forcing them to perform sexual acts with scores of male customers, retaining the proceeds for himself,” said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
Mr. Romeo is accused of putting the girls to work three or four nights a week on Rockaway Boulevard in Jamaica, where they allegedly met their customers, had sex with them in cheap hotels, and handed over the proceeds to Mr. Romeo. Mr. Romeo allegedly forced them to earn $500 a night through prostitution, under threat of violence if they came up short. This activity occurred between October 2001 and May of this year, according to Mr. Brown.
“This case underscores the fact that prostitution is not a victimless crime but rather a despicable offense against society practiced by callous jackals who enslave young women without hope and victimize them a day at a time,” said Mr. Brown.
Mr. Romeo is also accused of receiving oral sex from the 14-year-old on five occasions in September 2002, and he allegedly had sexual intercourse and oral sex with the 13-year-old between February and June of 2004. Mr. Romeo is accused of forcing the 13-year-old to live at his former residence at 133-32 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard under fear of violence. Mr. Romeo allegedly punched the 14-year-old in the face in 2002, leaving a scar near her eye, and forced her to tattoo his name on her arm earlier this year.
Mr. Romeo was charged with kidnapping, promoting prostitution, assault, rape, criminal sexual acts, and conspiracy. He could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
Mr. Romeo, who is being held at Rikers Island on an unrelated robbery charge, was arraigned on Friday before Judge Pauline Mullings, who set bail at $250,000. He returns to court on September 7. The defendant’s attorney, Steven Sternberg, did not return a telephone call for comment.
