SJ Prostitution Ring Busted

Three people were charged Thursday with running a prostitution ring that netted at least $10,000 a week.

The sex-for-hire business operated out of a rented Winslow, N.J., home for about two years, and employed nine female prostitutes, the Camden County prosecutor's office said Thursday.

It served customers from Atlantic City to Philadelphia, charging $185 for up to one hour, authorities said.

The business was advertised in local newspapers as an escort service. Customers called a toll-free number, and prostitutes met them at homes, hotel rooms and other locations, authorities said.

Darnell E. Bates, 49, was charged with promoting prostitution, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Two girls, ages 14 and 7, lived at the Winslow home.

Bates was being held at the county jail on $500,000 bail.

Tracy L. Sipple, 36, and Neota Rooney, 33, also were charged with promoting prostitution. Sipple was being held on $5,000, and Rooney was released on her own recognizance.

Seven vehicles, including a Jaguar and two Mercedes Benzes, were seized, along with $5,000 in cash, $300,000 in jewelry and five semiautomatic handguns.

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