Human Trafficking Ring Lured Victims To Camden With False Job Promises: AG

CAMDEN, NJ — Eight people face charges for running a human-trafficking ring that partially operated in Camden, authorities said Tuesday.

The investigation began in May 2024, when state detectives uncovered the enterprise that ran brothels in Trenton and Camden, according to the NJ Office of the Attorney General.

The network's ring leaders — Vilma Deleon Bracamonte, aka “Janet,” and Maria Soledad Xec Chan lured victims to locations where they were forced to perform sex acts, authorities said. There were four "houses" in Trenton and one in Camden.

Two others — Santiago Miranda-Gomez and Francisco Macariosut — were "inspectors" for the enterprise, picking up money from the houses twice a day and ensuring they functioned through intimidating the victims, authorities said.

Five "house managers," who managed day-to-day operations at each location, were also charged, officials said.

Authorities executed search warrants last Wednesday at all five brothels. During the searches, they encountered 15 victims — 14 of whom told investigators that they engaged in commercial sex acts with multiple men, officials said.

Bracamonte and Chan lured four of the victims by telling them they would be cleaning homes or working in a restaurant, authorities said. A fifth victim was told she'd be cleaning a house. Then, members of the network threatened to harm her family if she didn't engage in prostitution, officials said.

The Camden house was on Leonard Street, and the others were on Trenton's Ashmore Avenue, Elmer Street, Genesee Street and Roebling Avenue, officials said.

The following people were charged with first-degree racketeering and human trafficking, among other charges, officials said:

• Vilma Deleon Bracamonte, aka “Janet,” 55, of Hamilton (leader)
• Soledad Xec Chan, 42, of Trenton (leader)
• Santiago Miranda-Gomez, 30, of Trenton (inspector)
• Francisco Macariosut, 50, of Trenton (inspector)
• Abel Aguilera-Ronquillo, 27, of Trenton (house manager)
• Julio C. Delgado-Belmeo, 27, of Trenton (house manager)
• Flavio R. Navarrete-Reyes, 45, of Camden (house manager)
• Wilmer E. Pinargote-Chimbiligua, 29, of Camden (house manager)

Bracamonte and Chan face additional charges as leaders of the enterprise, authorities said.

Attorney information for the suspects wasn't immediately available.