A Pearl River woman accused in federal court of helping her spouse operate a sex trafficking ring was once in charge of a state government-funded re-entry program in Rockland County for people who were incarcerated, records show.
The woman, Nicole Dumel, also known as Nicole Prais, also recently ended a three-year stint on the Rockland County Human Rights Commission, which says its goals include addressing human rights violations and investigating discriminatory practices.
She and her spouse, Tyron Dumel, were arrested Wednesday, March 11, following a federal indictment containing charges that could spell life in prison for him and up to five years in prison for her.
Both pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in White Plains on Thursday, March 12.
Benjamin David Gold of Federal Defenders Of New York Inc., who is listed on court documents as Nicole Dumel’s attorney, did not immediately return a request for comment.
A job helping former incarcerated people in Rockland
Nicole Dumel, 30, under the name Nicole Prais, was appointed to the Rockland County Human Rights Commission in January 2023. Rockland County officials said she was removed in January 2026 after failing to complete federally required trainings.
She also served briefly on the county’s Chemical Dependency Subcommittee from June 2024 to January 2025 when she resigned, county officials reported.
Nicole Prais had worked as re-entry task force coordinator and offender workforce development specialist for BRIDGES, a Rockland County nonprofit that serves as Rockland County’s independent living center, according to the nonprofit.
BRIDGES CEO Carlos Martinez said his organization’s leaders were “surprised, deeply saddened and concerned” when they heard of the charges against Nicole Dumel.
Her role as an employee and as the task force coordinator ended in 2024, BRIDGES officials said.
“This individual is not currently employed by or affiliated with BRIDGES,” Martinez said, adding that Dumel, known as Prais in the BRIDGES job, had left the organization “several months before the events described in the media coverage.”
The Rockland County Re-entry Task Force Program provides pre- and post-release case management for individuals who had been incarcerated under New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. The program was operated by BRIDGES and funded through New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services,
The re-entry program and services were under “consistent oversight from state and local officials,” Martinez said.
Trafficking can happen anywhere
“The safety and well-being of our community is extremely important to us,” Martinez said, “and we fully support the work of law enforcement as they investigate this matter.”
Meanwhile, Rockland County spokesperson Beth Cefalu urged support for alleged victims of the “extremely serious charges.”
“It’s important for our community to recognize that trafficking can and does occur in our society,” Cefalu said. “We encourage everyone to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.”
The National Human Trafficking Resource Center operates a 24/7 hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
What the indictment and charges say
Tyron Dumel is charged with sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; transportation for purposes of prostitution and conspiracy to transport individuals for purposes of prostitution. The sex trafficking charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
According to New York State Department of Correction and Community Supervision records, Tyron Dumel had previously served two stints in prison, including from May 2019 to June 2021 on a conviction related to attempted burglary, and from October 2022 to June 2024 related to a conviction on attempted criminal possession of a weapon charges.
Nicole Dumel is charged with conspiracy to transport individuals for purposes of prostitution and faces up to five years in prison.
“Tyron Dumel allegedly exerted ruthless control over sex trafficking victims through lies, intimidation, violence, and psychological abuse, while he and Nicole Dumel allegedly reaped thousands of dollars in profits,” U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton said in a statement. “This kind of conduct should shock the conscience of every New Yorker, and it will not be tolerated.”
U.S. Magistrate Victoria Reznik ordered Tyron Dumel held without bond and released Nicole Dumel on bond.
The case was investigated by the FBI and its Westchester Safe Streets Task Force with assistance from Greenburgh, Clarkstown, White Plains and Orangetown police.
Nancy Cutler covers People & Policy. Reach her at ncutler@lohud.com; follow her on X, Bluesky and Instagram at @nancyrockland.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY woman accused of aiding sex trafficking ran prison re-entry program
Reporting by Nancy Cutler and Jonathan Bandler, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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