Two New Jersey Residents Charged with Sex Trafficking of Minor

NEWARK, N.J. – Two New Jersey residents have been charged for child sex trafficking and related offenses, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Daquan McCallum, 30, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Destiny Tamarato, 26, of Brick, New Jersey, are charged by complaint with sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor. McCallum made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge on Stacey D. Adams on Nov. 19, 2024, and was detained. Tamarato made her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa on Nov. 15, 2024, and was detained.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

In April 2020, Tamarato was arrested at a motel in Elizabeth with two minor victims after law enforcement located an online advertisement for sexual services and communicated with Tamarato, who agreed to provide sexual services for an agreed-upon price. Following this arrest and after being advised that one of the victims was underage, Tamarato continued to advertise that victim’s sexual services online. Tamarato was again arrested for engaging in prostitution with the same victim in April 2021. Tamarato also introduced the victim to McCallum, who then arranged for the victim to engage in additional commercial sex work, despite knowing that the victim was a minor.

The charges of sex trafficking of a minor each carry a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Kober of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.