A Trenton man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison, with 20 years of parole ineligibility, for leading a prostitution and human trafficking ring that operated in Mercer and Monmouth counties. The sentencing was announced by Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Criminal Justice.
Paulino “Pablo” Macolas-Aguirre, 46, was convicted on August 21, 2025, after a trial before Superior Court Judge Robert E. Lytle in Mercer County. He faced charges including conspiracy, racketeering, human trafficking, promoting prostitution, endangering the welfare of a child, financial facilitation of criminal activity, and promoting organized street crime.
“Human trafficking women into a life of sexual servitude is an affront to all decent people,” said Acting Attorney General Davenport. “It is a dehumanizing crime that cannot be tolerated. This office will continue to prioritize the prosecution of anyone engaged in this illegal activity. The leader of this human trafficking ring has learned the price of his criminal conduct.”
DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton stated: “This defendant recruited women, including a minor, to perform sexual acts for money. He called the shots as the leader of this well-organized human trafficking operation and has now been sentenced to an appropriate penalty for his crimes. The outstanding work of the investigators and prosecutors in this case put an end to a significant sex trafficking ring.”
Lieutenant Colonel David Sierotowicz, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police (NJSP), added: “Human trafficking is a brutal crime that exploits vulnerability, strips individuals of their freedom, and leaves lasting trauma. For victims, the road ahead is often long and difficult, and we will remain relentless in investigating these crimes, which too often hide in plain sight, and holding traffickers accountable.”
Authorities described how Macolas-Aguirre managed four houses used for prostitution—two each in Asbury Park and Trenton—where hundreds of adult women and at least one minor were forced into commercial sex acts for money from patrons. He recruited victims into the operation himself and supervised house managers who kept detailed ledgers documenting daily activities; some records showed individual women engaging with up to 41 men per day.
Macolas-Aguirre also operated an “outcall” service where employees transported women to other locations within Mercer County at customers’ requests.
The investigation began when police identified victims being moved between several properties—including Hudson Street in Trenton as well as addresses on 3rd Avenue and Prospect Avenue in Asbury Park—where men purchased poker chips that allowed them access to select females for sexual activity during timed intervals.
On January 21, 2022 NJSP detectives executed search warrants at one property fortified with locks and surveillance equipment; two house managers were arrested on site and later pleaded guilty to facilitating human trafficking.
Despite law enforcement action earlier that year—which included seizing cash proceeds from multiple sites—Macolas-Aguirre continued operations until further searches resulted in his arrest along with seven employees managing different aspects of his business.
Other defendants charged or pleading guilty include Edy Villega Estrada (also known as Villeda-Estrada), Daniel Camara Bonito, Efran Melo Castillo, Lauren Macolas Aguirre, Jose Camara Perico, and Daniela Camara Perico.
Deputy Attorney General Heather Hausleben and Assistant Attorney General Erik Daab prosecuted the case with support from Trial Analyst Nathalie Kurzawa. Investigative efforts involved NJSP’s Missing Persons & Human Trafficking Unit along with local police departments from Trenton and Asbury Park.
Authorities urge anyone suspecting sex- or labor-related human trafficking activities to report confidentially via New Jersey’s Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-END-NJ-HT or contact law enforcement tip lines regarding suspected exploitation or abuse involving children.
