TRENTON – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) announced today that eight people have been charged with first-degree racketeering and human trafficking for their roles in a prostitution ring that operated brothels in Trenton and Camden, where some women were allegedly held against their will and forced to perform sex acts.

Vilma Deleon Bracamonte, aka “Janet,” 55, of Hamilton, New Jersey, and Maria Soledad Xec Chan, 42, of Trenton, are allegedly the leaders of the trafficking network, who would lure victims to the houses. Santiago Miranda-Gomez, 30, and Francisco Macariosut, 50, both of Trenton, are alleged “inspectors” for the enterprise, picking up money twice a day from the houses and making sure they functioned through intimidation of the victims and the “house managers.”

The house managers – Abel Aguilera-Ronquillo, 27, Julio C. Delgado-Belmeo, 27, both of Trenton, and Flavio R. Navarrete-Reyes, 45, and Wilmer E. Pinargote-Chimbiligua, 29, both of Camden, were in charge of the day-to-day operations of the brothels.

All members of this trafficking network are charged with first-degree racketeering, first-degree human trafficking, and other crimes. Bracamonte and Chan face additional charges for their role as leaders. (See chart)

“Human trafficking organizations like the one described in these complaints exploit vulnerable individuals and rob them of their freedom, dignity and basic human rights,” said Attorney General Platkin. “My office has made it a priority to find these networks, dismantle them, and punish those who would profit from this misery.”

“The Division of Criminal Justice has a dedicated unit of detectives and prosecutors solely focused on combating human trafficking across New Jersey,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “We will continue collaborating with law enforcement across the State to look for the signs of this crime, and bring justice to those who fall victim to this activity. Community members with information about suspected human trafficking are urged to report it at 855-End-NJHT. Reports can be made anonymously.”

“The importance of providing immediate support for survivors of human trafficking cannot be overstated,” said Julia Einbond, CEO of Covenant House New Jersey. “Covenant House New Jersey is committed to ensuring every victim is connected with the resources they need to navigate the challenging road to recovery ahead.”

According to the complaints filed in this case, the investigation by DCJ detectives beginning in May 2024 uncovered an enterprise – allegedly led by Bracamonte and Xec Chan – which has been running houses of prostitution throughout Trenton and Camden. A cooperating witness who used to be part of the organization identified Bracamonte as “Janet.”

In May 2024, investigators uncovered a business card that identified three Trenton locations – on Ashmore Avenue, Roebling Avenue and Elmer Street -- where human trafficking was allegedly taking place. The card advertised barber shops, but none of the locations were tied to any actual businesses. Law enforcement officers identified an automobile that belonged to Miranda-Gomez that was frequently at those locations.

Law enforcement officers later uncovered a second business card containing the three locations already provided and one additional Trenton location on Genesee Street. This business card advertised a plumbing business. Investigation revealed that the “inspectors,” Miranda-Gomez and Macariosut, were allegedly observed at all four Trenton locations, as well as the location in Camden. Inside these houses, men would pay $50 for 15 minutes of sex; the woman would keep $25.

Routinely, Miranda-Gomez, Soledad Xec Chan, and Macariosut were seen visiting the five locations. They would bring in paper towels, cases of water and other items. Law enforcement officers allege they brought supplies and picked up cash from each location. In each house, multiple men were seen going in and staying for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day, including when the couriers were present.

On June 25, 2025, search warrants were executed at five locations: Ashmore Avenue, Elmer Street, Genesee Street, and Roebling Avenue in Trenton and Leonard Street in Camden. At all five locations, items related to commercial sex were discovered. Fifteen victims were found, 14 of whom provided statements corroborating engaging in commercial sex acts with multiple men.

Four of the victims said they were allegedly lured to the house by Bracamonte and Soledad Xec Chan after allegedly being told they would be cleaning homes or working in a restaurant. They were then allegedly told they had to perform multiple sex acts before they could leave. A fifth victim said she was allegedly told she’d be cleaning a house and then told she had to engage in sex acts or her family would be harmed.

Deputy Attorneys General Kathleen Dillon and Karen Bornstein are prosecuting the case for DCJ, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Laura Magnone.

This case was investigated by DCJ’s Human Trafficking bureau detectives Briana Perea, Kara Murphy and Nenad Ninkovic, under the supervision of Sergeant Mike Gonzalez, Lieutenant Dave Catona and Deputy Chief Kevin Gannon, with the assistance of detectives from the Major Threats Bureau.

Attorney General Platkin would also like to thank our law enforcement partners who assisted in this investigation: New Jersey State Police, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Hamilton Township Police Department, Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Perth Amboy Police Department, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Camden County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the victim services provider Covenant House.

First-degree racketeering charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, as well as fines up to $500,000. Other first-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine up to $200,000. Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

The charges and allegations are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

In January 2023, Attorney General Platkin launched the Division of Criminal Justice’s Human Trafficking Unit. Fifteen litigators and investigators are working to identify and dismantle often complex trafficking networks across jurisdictional boundaries. Last year, the unit charged more human trafficking cases than had been charged across the state in the preceding four years combined.

In 2024, Attorney General Platkin launched a public awareness campaign known as S.T.A.L.L.S. for Safety -- Sanctuary from Trafficking: Awareness & Linkage to Law Enforcement & Services. S.T.A.L.L.S. posters are located in public places, such as the restrooms in Atlantic City’s casinos or in NJ Transit facilities, and feature information in English and Spanish on how victims and bystanders alike can report suspected human trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and the New Jersey Human Trafficking Hotline. If your business would like to request posters, please visit the STALLS website. Posters are available for download or delivery by mail at no cost.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of human trafficking you may contact the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety at: New Jersey Human Trafficking 24 HR Hotline: 855-END-NJ-HT (855-363-6548).