Story by Ethan
On January 29th, 2026, the arrest of Mickael Derius, Terry D. Nero, and Jonathan O. Ramirez, ages 30, 44, and 29, was announced by Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. Mickael Derius was charged with first-degree Human Trafficking of a Minor, first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Minor by Aiding and Abetting, first-degree Producing Prostitution of a Minor, two counts of second-degree Sexual Assault of a Minor, and third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Terry D. Nero was charged with first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Minor by Aiding and Abetting, four counts of second-degree Sexual Assault of a Minor, second-degree Promoting Prostitution of a Minor, and third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Jonathan O. Ramirez was charged with four counts of first-degree Manufacturing and Filming the Sexual Assault of a Minor, second-degree Promoting Prostitution of a Minor, and third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The arrest and charges against Mickael Derius, Terry D. Nero, and Jonathan O. Ramirez were a result of an investigation handled by the Newark Police Department, East Orange Police Department, and the New Jersey State Police Human Trafficking Unit.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, on August 19th, 2025, the Newark Police Department contacted the New Jersey State Police Human Trafficking Unit (NJSP HTU) about the disappearance of the 13-year-old victim. The victim was under custody of the New Jersey Division of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P), and upon her disappearance the Newark Police Department shared the information they had that revealed they were being trafficked. The East Orange Police Department and NJSP HTU began a joint investigation that led to successfully locating the victim. They reported that they had been walking with a friend when Mickael Derius picked them up in his car. While still in the car Mickael Derius and another unidentified male sexually assaulted the victim and their friend before giving them $300 as compensation. Following the first payment the victim and their friend continued engaging in commercial sex with Mickael Derius, continuing to stay in contact with him to arrange pickups. The victim and their friend would meet up with Mickael Derius on allegedly three separate occasions for arranged pick ups for commercial sex in exchange for payment. During July and August 2025 Mickael Derius allegedly arranged for the victim to partake in commercial sex with other other individuals staged as “plays”. One instance of this taking place was when the victim was allegedly performing for and having sex with Terry D. Nero. Jonathan O. Ramirez told detectives that he initially met the victim on social media before allegedly beginning to sexually assault them and record the incidents.
The Attorney General’s Office stated that the charges against Mickael Derius, Terry D. Nero, and Jonathan O. Ramirez are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
