Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Teen Suing "Pimp Cop" Who Allegedly Forced Her Into Prostitution
By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 12, 2011
Modified Oct 12, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 12, 2011
Modified Oct 12, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A teen girl is suing the city claiming that a rogue NYPD detective forced her into prostitution when she was 13-years-old. The teen, who is still a minor, and her mother have filed a $25 million lawsuit against the city, the NYPD, and Wayne Taylor, a former city narcotics detective who she says "bought" her and pimped her out.
In the suit, the girl alleges Taylor told her that she had been “sold” to him for $500—she was allegedly ordered to tell patrons she was 19, dance naked at parties, and charge up to $80 for sex. She says that if she didn't follow his directions, Taylor and his girlfriend threatened to either beat or arrest the girl. The girl was held in the home of Taylor and his girlfriend, Zelika Brown, in Jamaica, Queens between January 10 and January 27, 2008, until they "sold" her to another pimp on Long Island—she was able to escape from there, and contact the police with her story.
Taylor ended up pleading guilty to attempted kidnapping and served three-and-a-half years in prison before he was paroled in January. Despite the fact that the NYPD were aware of the fact Taylor was involved in illegal activities, the girl’s attorney, Robert Tolchin, said they nevertheless kept him on the streets. “How do you keep this guy on the job with a shield and a gun and assigned to the narcotics bureau when he has an unresolved petition for for promoting prostitution?” the Brooklyn attorney asked.
In 2008, Taylor spoke to the Daily News shortly before he was found guilty, and defended himself vigorously: "I am 100% innocent of all the charges and all that will come out in court. I guarantee you if I spoke my heart out and told you all the facts, you would walk out here with a totally different outlook."
Tagged
cops
lawsuit
nypd
pimp cop
police
prostitute
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
November has 3 meteor showers and the best chance to see Uranus
"Even in the city, some of these meteors will be bright enough that you'll be able to see them."
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Nov 1, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET
Runners, and throngs of spectators, kick off the five-borough New York City Marathon
The race starts on Staten Island, and snakes through Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx before ending in Central Park in Manhattan.
By
Walter Wuthmann
News
Runners, and throngs of spectators, kick off the five-borough New York City Marathon
The race starts on Staten Island, and snakes through Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx before ending in Central Park in Manhattan.
By
Walter Wuthmann
Calif. judge cites 'mountain of evidence' ICE racially profiled Latinos, drawing NY notice
By
Herb Pinder
Mamdani says Trump will 'immediately' grant visa to Ghanaian mom of slain Bronx teen
By
Christian Santana
and
Giulia Heyward
Overflowing school in downtown Jersey City is hitting a crisis point, parents say
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .