A New Jersey woman allegedly fought her way to freedom after prosecutors say she was kidnapped, trafficked for sex, and repeatedly abused over several months.
According to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the woman told investigators she was threatened with the murder of her family if she refused to comply. After being forced into commercial sex at multiple locations, she seized a rare opportunity to escape from a motel in Gloucester City.
Prosecutors say the victim first met Tamier Brown-Miller of Philadelphia and Dezeree Smith of Collingswood through social media, believing they were friends. That relationship allegedly turned into a nightmare when Brown-Miller threatened to kill her family if she refused to work for him.
Authorities say those threats eventually escalated into a kidnapping. Investigators allege Brown-Miller forced the woman into a vehicle in Philadelphia, took her to a hotel, and made her have sex with men for money before moving her to a Super 8 motel in Gloucester City.
Once there, prosecutors say Brown-Miller confiscated her phone and advertised her online for commercial sex.
The woman eventually confided in one of the customers, telling him she was being trafficked and asking for help.
According to prosecutors, Smith later returned the victim’s phone but warned she would be killed if she tried to leave. Despite the threat, the woman secretly ordered a rideshare and attempted to escape.
Prosecutors say Smith attacked her before she could get away, leading to a violent struggle that spilled into the motel hallway and onto a staircase. Other motel guests intervened and called police, allowing the woman to escape. She was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Investigators recovered methamphetamine and four cell phones from the motel room during the investigation.
A grand jury has indicted Brown-Miller and Smith on charges including human trafficking, kidnapping, racketeering, promoting prostitution, and other related offenses. Brown-Miller faces 22 criminal charges, while Smith faces 19.
The allegations remain accusations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
