PLAINSBORO: Woman, man face prostitution charges

By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
   PLAINSBORO — A woman and a man were arrested on prostitution charges after a traffic stop at 3:51 a.m. on Feb. 25
   Samantha M. Connelly, 24, of Jersey City, was charged with engaging in prostitution and William Salonga, 38, of Astoria, N.Y., was charged with promoting prostitution and on Feb. 25 at 3:51 a.m.
   Police said they originally pulled over Mr. Salonga’s vehicle on Quail Ridge Drive for improper use of high beams. During questioning, Mr. Salonga allegedly said he was visiting a friend in the Quail Ridge Apartment Complex, but was unable to identify the friend or his residence.
   Both Mr. Salonga and passenger Ms. Connelly were arrested after police discovered he had an outstanding warrant from Bayonne and she had outstanding warrants from Rutherford and Union City.
   Police also found a juvenile female in the vehicle and discovered she had been entered into the National Crime Information Center as a missing person from a residential treatment center in New York. She was later turned over to a representative from the treatment center after it was determined Mr. Salonga and Ms. Connelly had not held her against her will.
   Further investigation revealed Ms. Connelly had hired Mr. Salonga to drive her to meet a “client” in the Quail Ridge Apartments where she was to exchange exotic dances and massages for money.
   It was also discovered Mr. Salonga had driven her to several other “clients” in the past and that he allegedly routinely drives other women engaging in prostitution.
   Ms.Connelly was issued a summons pending a Feb. 29 Plainsboro Township Court date. She was turned over to Rutherford police after she was unable to post bail for her outstanding warrants.
   Mr. Salonga was released after posting $500 bail and also received a Feb. 29 court date.