A New Jersey woman is suing major hotel chains Red Roof Inn and Motel 6, alleging they profited from her sex trafficking as a teenager while turning a blind eye to obvious warning signs.
Story Snapshot
- NJ woman claims she was sex trafficked by Stanton Krogulski at Red Roof Inn and Motel 6 from May 2014 to August 2015
- Lawsuit accuses hotels of negligence for failing to report suspicious activity and intervene in exploitation
- Case highlights trend of holding hospitality businesses accountable for trafficking on their premises
- Hotels deny liability, citing staff training and compliance with anti-trafficking laws
Hotels Accused of Enabling Criminal Enterprise
The civil lawsuit filed in New Jersey accuses Red Roof Inn in Mount Laurel and Motel 6 in Maple Shade of facilitating human trafficking between May 2014 and August 2015. Stanton Krogulski allegedly exploited the then-minor victim at both locations regularly. The complaint argues these budget hotel chains failed their legal and moral duty to protect vulnerable individuals, essentially profiting from rooms used for criminal activity. This case represents a growing legal trend holding businesses accountable for crimes occurring on their premises.
Corporate Negligence Claims Target Hotel Industry
The plaintiff’s legal team contends both hotel chains ignored red flags that should have prompted intervention or law enforcement notification. Budget hotels like Red Roof Inn and Motel 6 have faced similar accusations nationwide due to their transient customer base and locations near major highways. The lawsuit specifically targets corporate policies and staff training protocols, arguing they were inadequate to prevent exploitation. Legal experts note this reflects a broader strategy of pursuing civil remedies against third parties who allegedly enable trafficking operations through negligence.
Hotels Defend Anti-Trafficking Protocols
Red Roof Inn and Motel 6 have issued statements denying liability and defending their compliance with New Jersey’s Human Trafficking Prevention, Protection, and Treatment Act. Both chains cite existing staff training programs designed to identify trafficking indicators and proper reporting procedures. The hotels argue that detection of trafficking activity is challenging without clear evidence and that they cannot be held responsible for criminal acts they may not have reasonably foreseen. Their defense teams are pursuing motions to dismiss, claiming the lawsuit unfairly penalizes businesses for sophisticated criminal operations.
The case remains in pre-trial discovery, with no trial date scheduled. Stanton Krogulski was fatally shot in Philadelphia in August 2023 and his murder case remains unsolved. This lawsuit joins a growing number of civil actions nationwide targeting hospitality businesses for alleged complicity in human trafficking, potentially setting precedents that could reshape industry liability standards and operating procedures across budget hotel chains.
