Seven arrested on prostitution charges after strip club raid
by Michael Ratcliffe/The TimesFriday November 16, 2007, 6:03 PM
PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP -- Seven women, all but one of whom are in the United States illegally, were arrested for alleged prostitution after authorities raided a strip club on Thursday night, township police announced on Friday.

All seven women are Brazilian natives living in Essex County and each was charged with engaging in prostitution, police said. In addition to that charge, the six women who are in the U.S. illegally will face a hearing in federal court to determine if they can remain in the country or will be deported, police said.

Police said undercover officers went into Cheeks Gentleman's Club in the 100 block of South Pemberton Road and posed as customers.

Authorities raided the club after women working inside allegedly "agreed to perform sexual acts" for the undercover officers, police said.

Taking part in the investigation and raid were township police, state troopers, and officials from the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, and the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.

Noting that Pereira is a legal resident of the U.S. while the others are in the country illegally, police identified the arrested women as follows:

Irene Pereira, 52, of Market Street, Newark
Lucilene Mendanha, 39, of Jabez Street, Newark
Edniea Jaronimo Do Prado, 24, of Ferry Street, Newark
Aurora Gallegos-Sanchez, 38, of Elma Street, Newark
Giselle Mora-Jimmenez, 44, of Livingston Street, Elizabeth
Liede Jesus Souza, 24, of Pattison Street, Newark
Edivaimis Jaronimo Do Prado, 36, of Ferry Street, Newark
Thursday's raid was not the first at Cheeks, which opened in 2005.

According to police, in September 2005 two exotic dancers were arrested on charges they offered sex acts in exchange for money to undercover officers, while in July 2006 several employees were arrested for various offenses, including prostitution and drug charges.

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