Story by Ethan
On August 7th, 2026, the arrests of Keith B. Woodson (age 40), Lee A. Byrd (age 62), Raymond H. Cooper (age 48), and Andre A. Lindsey (age 41), were announced by New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. All four defendants were charged with first-degree Racketeering, first-degree Conspiracy to Commit Human Trafficking, first-degree Promoting Organized Street Crime, first-degree Human Trafficking by Threat of Harm, first-degree Human Trafficking by Drug Facilitation, third-degree Conspiracy to Promote Prostitution, third-degree Conspiracy to Commit Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity, and other unspecified charges. The arrest and charges against Keith B. Woodson, Lee A. Byrd, Raymond H. Cooper, and Andre A. Lindsey were a result of an investigation handled by the New Jersey General Attorney’s Office and the Division of Criminal Justice Human Trafficking Unit.
According to the New Jersey General Attorney’s Office and both documents and statements made in court, Keith B. Woodson had allegedly forced two victims to provide sexual favors for various men in exchange for money and drugs. The defendant had previously posted advertisements featuring the first victim, N.G., on various illicit sexual websites to gain patrons and customers. In addition to the advertisements Keith B. Woodson had also solicited men from a bar and convenience store that he was a frequent customer at.
It’s alleged that Keith B. Woodson rented out various hotel rooms and bought supplies before arranging meetings between N.G. and patrons and collected all the money that the customers had paid N.G.. N.G. was expected to meet on average four or five customers every day. The victim had performed these sexual acts against her will as she was fearful of Keith B. Woodson physically harming her or withholding food from her if she did not oblige. In addition to this it’s alleged that the defendant also threatened violent actions against N.G.’s family if she attempted to escape.
Keith B. Woodson had allegedly met with another victim, G.D., at a bus station in Camden, New Jersey, and claimed he could show her how to make $1,000 in a day. G.D. was dependent on drugs and agreed to follow the defendant. G.D. was expected to make $1,000 a day by performing commercial sexual acts on patreons, and in return Keith B. Woodson supplied her with ecstasy, percocet, adderall, and other unspecified narcotics. The defendant had also allegedly threatened G.D.’s family if she were not to perform sexual favors. On one occasion when G.D. did not oblige to Keith B. Woodson’s commands he allegedly choked her to the point of passing out before later threatening to kill her and her family. After this incident the defendant allegedly had sent pictures to G.D. of herself walking down a local street to prove that she was constantly under his surveillance.
It’s alleged that Keith B. Woodson’s associates, Lee A. Byrd, Raymond H. Cooper, and Andre A. Lindsey also took part in trafficking N.G.. They would drive her to hotels, stand outside hotel rooms to keep watch, and collect the money patrons would pay for her to provide sexual acts. All three are also alleged to have always been carrying firearms in addition to Raymond H. Cooper having provided Keith B. Woodson with the drugs he later gave to N.G..
The New Jersey General Attorney’s Office stated that the charges against Keith B. Woodson, Lee A. Byrd, Raymond H. Cooper, and Andre A. Lindsey are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
