Street view of Seville Motel in North Bergen, NJ. Image source: Google Street View, © Google. Accessed via Google Maps.
Lawsuit Alleges Seville Motel Allowed Repeated Trafficking of Minor Victim on Its Premises
Andreozzi + Foote has filed a federal lawsuit in New Jersey against the Seville Motel, located at 1415 Tonnelle Avenue, North Bergen, NJ. The suit, brought under the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (“TVPRA”), 18 U.S.C. § 1595, alleges that the motel knowingly permitted sex trafficking to occur on its property—and directly profited from it.
Victim Trafficked as a Minor
The lawsuit alleges the victim, a minor, was repeatedly trafficked at the Seville Motel between 2014 and 2016. To maintain control, the trafficker allegedly used drugs to impair the victim, making escape more difficult.
According to the lawsuit, Seville Motel staff witnessed numerous red flags consistent with sex trafficking and failed to act. Housekeeping staff observed condoms, lubricants, drugs, and cash in plain view—items commonly associated with commercial sex and human trafficking.
The victim showed signs of physical abuse, drug impairment, and malnourishment. Additionally, the trafficker exerted control over the victim in the motel’s common areas, with physical and verbal abuse occurring in view and earshot of staff.
Despite these clear indicators, the motel took no meaningful steps to intervene.
Motel Owner Aided Trafficker
The suit alleges that not only was the motel aware that sex trafficking was taking place, but the owner was also actively assisting the trafficker by providing discounted and free rooms.
Furthermore, the owner’s wife never raised any concerns as to why drugged and underage girls were constantly on the premises.
The victim eventually became pregnant during the trafficking, and miscarried in one of the motel rooms. An ambulance was called, and the victim was finally able to escape. The victim later reported the harrowing ordeal to police in New York and was referred to Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS), a nonprofit that supports survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and domestic sex trafficking.
Federal Law Holds Businesses Accountable
Under the TVPRA, survivors of sex trafficking have the right to pursue civil claims not just against traffickers, but also against businesses and individuals who knowingly benefited from trafficking activity. The lawsuit contends that the Seville Motel directly profited from the trafficking by repeatedly renting rooms to the trafficker and facilitating the exploitation of the victim.
If You Were Harmed, We’re Here to Listen
If you were trafficked at the Seville Motel—or have information about trafficking that occurred there—please contact law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Your voice matters, and coming forward can be a powerful step toward healing and justice.
National Human Trafficking Hotline:
📞 1-888-373-7888 (24/7, confidential)
📱 Text “BEFREE” (233733)
🌐 humantraffickinghotline.org
You can also contact Andreozzi + Foote for a confidential legal consultation.
With experience representing survivors of sex trafficking, we recognize how difficult it can be to take that first step. We’ll listen without judgment, explain your legal options, and help you make decisions at your own pace.
Whether you’re ready to take legal action or simply want to learn more about your rights, we’re here to support you—always on your terms, and always in confidence.
