By Philip Newman
Woodolph Romeo of 2270 Baylis Ave. in Elmont, Long Island was arrested last week at Rikers Island where he was held on an unrelated robbery charge, the DA said.”This case underscores the fact that prostitution is not a victimless crime but rather a despicable offense against society practiced by callous jackals who enslave young women without hope and victimize them a day at a time,” Brown said.”He is accused of violating, degrading and exploiting them by repeatedly sexually attacking and beating them and forcing them to perform various sexual acts with scores of male customers and retaining the proceeds for himself,” he said.Brown said Romeo forced the 14-year-old girl to earn at least $500 by sexually serving men with the threat of beatings if she fell short of the quota. He said both girls were forced to charge $40 to $50 for oral sex and $80 to $100 for sexual intercourse, with all they earned going to Romeo.Brown said Romeo was also charged with sexually abusing the girls and forcing the 13-year-old girl to live at his former residence on Guy R. Brewer Boulevard and of punching the 14-year-old in the face, leaving her scarred, and with forcing her to have his name tattooed on her arm.Brown said Romeo forced the girls to work as prostitutes three or four nights a week between October 2001 and this past May in the area of Rockaway Boulevard and North Conduit Avenue in Jamaica, sometimes called “the track,” not far from John F. Kennedy International Airport. Brown said the girls were forced to service as many as 15 men a night, in encounters mostly in cheap hotels.Romeo was charged with kidnapping, promoting prostitution, assault, rape, criminal sexual acts and conspiracy. Conviction could bring up to 25 years in prison.The girls, both of Nassau County, were not identified.Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 136.
