N.J. men admit roles in male prostitution ring

Two New Jersey men have admitted their involvement in a Ventnor-based prostitution ring that targeted troubled young men for recruitment.

Marc Branch, 40, of Ventnor, and Francis Forvour, 48, of Maple Shade, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Atlantic County Superior Court to second-degree charges of conspiracy to commit human trafficking.

Branch, who investigators identified as the operation's mastermind, admitted to luring young men, including at least one minor, to his North Newport Avenue apartment with the promise of drugs, companionship and shelter.

"Branch preyed on vulnerable young men, bringing them under his control through various devious and dangerous methods, including coercion, drugs and preying upon of their lack of social and financial support," New Jersey Acting Attorney General John Hoffman said in a statement. "Once under his sway, he ruthlessly prostituted them for his own enrichment."

Prosecutors said Branch used naked photographs of the men to create Craigslist advertisements soliciting male customers, who paid up to $200 per sex act.

Branch conspired with another man to blackmail one victim into continuing to work as a prostitute by threatening to tell the victim's family he had suffered a relapse and was using heroin.

Forvour admitted to providing Branch with financial support for the enterprise and to paying him for sex with the prostitutes. He also acknowledged he was aware that one victim was being blackmailed, prosecutors said.

The state will recommend Forvour be ordered to serve four years in state prison when he is sentenced Dec. 12.

As a part of Branch's plea agreement, the state will recommend he receive a five-year prison term at his sentencing, which is also scheduled for Dec. 12.

Branch is currently jailed at South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton on charges stemming from an unrelated drug-possession case.