Ventnor Woman Charged in Human Trafficking Ring

A Ventnor woman was one of 13 people involved in what authorities describe as a multi-county human trafficking operation involving 13 defendants and 15 recovered victims.

The 13 suspects were arrested last week and charged with running a human trafficking ring that operated in multiple counties, including Middlesex, Ocean, Camden, and Burlington, beginning in January 2025.

Eleana Kuzel, 30, was identified as the only Atlantic County resident charged in the case and is accused of holding a high-ranking role in the crime ring.

A release says the operation involved searches at three residences and three hotels.

Ventnor Woman Faces 11 Counts

According to prosecutors, Shalaby Hicks, 48, of Pennsauken, and Nathaniel Clay, 49, of Mount Laurel, allegedly led the trafficking network.

The victims were allegedly forced to post online commercial sex advertisements, turn over earnings, and were given food, transportation, and lodging.

Clay allegedly operated part of the ring in Burlington County, while Hicks allegedly controlled the Camden County side.

Eleana Kuzel was a manager for the operation at a hotel in Pennsauken, Camden County, where the alleged trafficking occurred, state Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said in a news release.

She is accused of acting as Hicks’ second-in-command from mid-March through April, including allegedly helping control victims and threatening one victim over money owed to Hicks.

She faces 11 counts, including first-degree racketeering, human trafficking, and conspiracy to commit human trafficking. Authorities also reported recovering suspected crack cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, cash, and firearms connected to the investigation.

Eleana Kuzel Was Arrested in 2020 Prostitution Ring

In February 2020, the Atlantic City Police Department reported that Eleana Kuzel was one of 10 women arrested and charged in a prostitution operation that ran in and around casinos in Atlantic City.

All of the women were charged with solicitation of prostitution and interviewed by detectives to determine if they were victims of sex trafficking.