TRENTON, N.J. — Eight individuals have been charged with first-degree racketeering and human trafficking for allegedly operating a prostitution ring in Trenton and Camden, where several women were reportedly coerced into sex work under false pretenses and threats, according to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.
Authorities say Vilma Deleon Bracamonte, 55, of Hamilton, and Maria Soledad Xec Chan, 42, of Trenton, led the operation. The pair allegedly recruited victims with false job offers and forced them to engage in commercial sex acts. Investigators allege Santiago Miranda-Gomez, 30, and Francisco Macariosut, 50, served as “inspectors,” collecting cash from the brothels and intimidating both victims and staff.
Four others — Abel Aguilera-Ronquillo, Julio C. Delgado-Belmeo, Flavio R. Navarrete-Reyes, and Wilmer E. Pinargote-Chimbiligua — allegedly managed the day-to-day operations of the brothels, located at multiple properties in Trenton and one in Camden. All eight face racketeering, human trafficking, and related charges.
Key Points
- Eight people charged with running a forced prostitution ring across five brothels in Trenton and Camden
- Victims were allegedly recruited under false job offers and coerced into sex acts under threat
- Search warrants uncovered 15 victims and evidence at all five identified brothel locations
The investigation, led by the Division of Criminal Justice Human Trafficking Unit, began in May 2024 and involved surveillance of suspected locations advertised falsely as barbershops and a plumbing business. Investigators linked Miranda-Gomez’s vehicle to repeated visits at the sites and observed frequent short-term male visitors.
Search warrants executed June 25 uncovered 15 women at the five addresses, with 14 confirming they were paid $25 from a $50 fee per customer. Several victims said they were misled about the work and told they could not leave unless they complied, while one woman said she was threatened with harm to her family if she refused.
“These complaints describe a disturbing scheme where individuals were deprived of their freedom and exploited for profit,” said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, they face sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years in prison and substantial fines.
A network of brothels falsely posing as legitimate businesses was dismantled after a yearlong state investigation.