3 accused of trying to force Ulster girls into prostitution

Rape and other charges have been lodged against three Bronx residents who allegedly tried to force two Ulster County girls into prostitution, New York City police said Monday.

Rudy Rocker, 19, was charged with the felonies of rape, compelling prostitution, attempted sex trafficking, attempted promoting prostitution and attempted labor trafficking, according to NYPD spokesman Sgt. Lee Jones.

Rocker additionally was charged with possessing a stolen 2004 Volvo, also a felony, Jones said.

The sergeant said Donald Jackson, 20, and

Berisha Nebahate, 19, were charged with compelling prostitution, attempted sex trafficking, attempted promoting prostitution and attempted labor trafficking.

The two girls, ages 14 and 15, were returned home safely after being rescued Saturday from a home in the East New York section of Brooklyn where the three suspects were seeking to force them to engage in prostitution, police said over the weekend.

Detectives at the NYPD’s

75th Precinct said the girls first were taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

Authorities took the three suspects into custody Saturday but didn’t provide their names until charges were filed.

Police said one of the girls previously tried to escape from the home but one of the suspects punched her.

Authorities said the girls went to the East New York home willingly but that one of them later overheard a conversation among the suspects and alerted her father via social media.

The girls were reported missing last Tuesday night, police said.