Burlington Review

BCPO Detective Samantha Gericke was one of four detectives honored recently by the New Jersey Crime Scene Investigators Association-NJCSIA for their investigation into two juveniles (ages 14 and 17) who were being sex trafficked last summer in Medford Township. 

The investigation began on August 8, 2022, when the Medford Township Police Department received a 911 call indicating a 14-year-old girl was being held captive by Thomas Patsaros in his home on Centennial Drive. The investigation, which was conducted by Detective Gericke, Medford Township Police Department Detective Patrick Robey and two detectives from the New Jersey State Police, revealed that Patsaros forced the 14-year-old girl to perform sexual acts and use narcotics at his residence. Investigators identified Lamara Butler as a co-conspirator. She was later arrested for her role in luring both juveniles to Patsaros’s residence and conspiring with him to engage the juveniles in sex work at a hotel. 

Patsaros and Butler were indicted on multiple first-degree charges for allegedly trafficking and promoting prostitution of the two juveniles, and one of the defendants was also charged with holding the younger victim captive in his home for a week and sexually assaulting her. The case is pending trial. 

Great job by all involved.

Original source can be found here.