A New Jersey human trafficker who exploited a minor among four victims was sentenced to nearly 18 years in prison

Posted by
1 min read
April 17, 2025
A Newark man with a history of trafficking minors is headed back to federal prison after exploiting multiple women across state lines.

TRENTON, N.J. — A Newark man was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison Thursday for trafficking multiple women, including a minor, across state lines for sex, following his conviction on a slate of prostitution-related charges.

Amin Sharif, 50, was found guilty by a jury in July 2024 of five federal crimes: sex trafficking of a minor, transporting a victim with intent to engage in prostitution, persuading a victim to travel for prostitution, attempted transportation with the same intent, and using an interstate facility to promote unlawful activity. U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp handed down the sentence in Trenton federal court.

The case, prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, stems from a January 2021 FBI investigation that uncovered Sharif’s cross-country trafficking network. Authorities say Sharif used fake identities and social media profiles to lure victims from New York, Pennsylvania, Idaho, and Utah, promising them money, housing, and bill payment.

Among the four victims was a minor whom Sharif advertised online for more than 30 sexual encounters. Investigators testified that he made false promises of financial independence to exploit vulnerable women for profit.

Sharif has a prior federal conviction for transporting a minor for prostitution and previously served a 10-year prison sentence for that offense.

20-year supervised release imposed

In addition to the nearly 18-year prison term, Judge Shipp ordered Sharif to serve 20 years of supervised release following his incarceration. No parole exists in the federal prison system.

According to court documents and trial evidence, Sharif’s crimes were marked by a pattern of manipulation and deception, as he posed under multiple aliases and used digital platforms to reach his victims.


Key Points

  • Amin Sharif, 50, was sentenced to 210 months in prison for sex trafficking and related offenses
  • Sharif recruited women and a minor from four states using false promises and online aliases
  • He has a prior conviction for similar crimes and will also serve 20 years of supervised release

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss