Sex Slave Sting: Women Held In NJ Homes, Forced Into Brothels, AG Says
According to authorities, eight persons have been charged with human trafficking and racketeering for operating a prostitution ring out of multiple residences in Trenton and Camden.
Police vehicle
The allegations were made public by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin on Tuesday, July 1, after a months-long investigation that started in May 2024. Investigators reported finding at least 15 victims during raids at five houses.
The criminal accusations claimed that the ringleaders were Maria Soledad Xec Chan, 42, of Trenton, and Vilma Deleon Bracamonte, 55, of Hamilton, also known as Janet. They are accused of the following:
- First-degree racketeering
- Multiple counts of first-degree human trafficking
- Promoting prostitution (20 counts)
- Money laundering
- Leading an organized crime enterprise
- Promoting organized street crime
For their claimed roles, six additional suspects were charged:
- Santiago Miranda-Gomez, 30, Trenton
- Francisco Macariosut, 50, Trenton
- Abel Aguilera-Ronquillo, 27, Trenton
- Julio C. Delgado-Belmeo, 27, Trenton
- Flavio R. Navarrete-Reyes, 45, Camden
- Wilmer E. Pinargote-Chimbiligua, 29, Camden
According to Platkin, all eight are charged with assisting in the management and operation of brothels in five different sites. These include Leonard Street in Camden and Ashmore Avenue, Elmer Street, Roebling Avenue, and Genesee Street in Trenton.
The charges allege that women were lured in with false promises of respectable jobs, including housecleaning or restaurant employment, and then informed they would have to engage in sex acts in order to be released. One victim claimed that if she didn’t comply, her family would suffer.
On June 25, search warrants were carried out. At each site, officers reported finding commercial sex supplies. Fourteen of the fifteen women who were found admitted to having sex with several men every day.
Deputy Attorneys General Kathleen Dillon and Karen Bornstein of the Division of Criminal Justice, working under Bureau Chief Laura Magnone, are prosecuting the case.
