State Police: Eight Arrested in Dismantling of Alleged Human Trafficking Network

The New Jersey State Police have arrested eight suspects on multiple charges stemming from their alleged operation of a human trafficking network in central New Jersey.

In the course of a four-month investigation, detectives discovered evidence that shows the suspects allegedly smuggled female victims into the country and forced them into prostitution.

“Human trafficking victims are subjected to irreprehensible physical and emotional abuse because of the manipulation and fear-based tactics used by their perpetrators,” NJ State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan said. “This investigation shows our dedication to use every resource at our disposal to bring these criminals to justice and dismantle operations that create lifelong damage to victims. We remain committed to working with our partners to aggressively target these offenders, but remind everyone to remain vigilant and report these heinous crimes to law enforcement.”

The investigation …

On Friday, Jan. 21, detectives from the State Police Missing Persons & Human Trafficking Unit obtained information that a juvenile was being trafficked out of a residence on Hudson Street, in Trenton.

Later in the day, detectives along with members of the NJ State Police T.E.A.M.S. Unit, K-9 Unit, Crime Suppression Central Unit, Trenton Police Department, and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) executed a search warrant at the residence.

As a result, detectives found two female victims inside the residence and arrested Daniel Bonito Camara, 55, and Edy Villeda Estrada, 39, both of Trenton.

During the investigation, detectives discovered that one of the female victims was allegedly smuggled from Mexico to Texas under the belief that she would be working in a restaurant. However, she was involuntarily forced into a human sex trafficking operation. The juvenile was then trafficked into New Jersey where she continued to be forced into prostitution in Asbury Park before being moved to Trenton, the report said.

Through various investigative means, detectives identified Paulino Macolas-Aguirre, 43, of Trenton, N.J. as the alleged ringleader of the human trafficking operation and determined that he was operating out of multiple residences in Trenton.

On Wednesday, May 11, detectives from the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons & Human Trafficking Unit, Trenton Police Department, Asbury Park Police Department, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Fugitive Unit and the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice executed search warrants at various residences in Trenton.

As a result, nine additional alleged female victims were found. Detectives also obtained evidence that they were smuggled into the United States under the pretense they would be provided legitimate employment.

Due to this investigation, the following suspects have been charged:

Paulino Macola- Aguirre, 43, of Trenton

• Two counts of 1st Degree Human Trafficking

• 1st Degree Promoting Organized Street Crime

• 1st Degree Promoting Child Prostitution

• 2nd Degree Facilitating Human Trafficking

• 2nd Degree Sexual Assault

• 3rd Degree Money Laundering

• 3rd Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child

• 3rd Degree Maintaining a House of Prostitution

• Conspiracy

Daniel Bonito Camara, 55, of Trenton

• 1st Degree Human Trafficking

• 1st Degree Promoting Child Prostitution

• 1st Degree Promoting Organized Street Crime

• 2nd Degree Facilitating Human Trafficking

• 2nd Degree Hindering Apprehension

• 2nd Degree Conspiracy to Commit Witness Tampering

• 2nd Degree Conspiracy to Commit Hindering Apprehension

• 2nd Degree Hindering Apprehension

• 3rd Degree Hindering Apprehension

• 3rd Degree Witness Tampering

• 3rd Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child

• 3rd Degree Maintaining a House of Prostitution

Edy Villeda Estrada, 39, of Trenton

• 1st Degree Human Trafficking

• 1st Degree Promoting Child Prostitution

• 1st Degree Promoting Organized Street Crime

• 2nd Degree Facilitating Human Trafficking

• 3rd Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child

• 3rd Degree Maintaining a House of Prostitution

Efran Melocastillo, 30, of Trenton

• Conspiracy

• 2nd Degree Promoting Organized Street Crime

• 3rd Degree Money Laundering

• 3rd Degree Maintaining a House of Prostitution

Jose Gabriel Camara Perico, 30 of Trenton

• Conspiracy

• 2nd Degree Promoting Organized Street Crime

• 3rd Degree Money Laundering

• 3rd Degree Maintaining a House of Prostitution

Laura Macolas Aguirre, 44 of Asbury Park

• Conspiracy

• 1st Degree Human Trafficking

• 2nd Degree Facilitating Human Trafficking

• 2nd Degree Promoting Organized Street Crime

• 3rd Degree Money Laundering

• 3rd Degree Maintaining a House of Prostitution

Daniel Handerson Camara Perico, 31 of Trenton

• Conspiracy

• 2nd Degree Promoting Organized Street Crime

• 3rd Degree Money Laundering

• 3rd Degree Maintaining a House of Prostitution

• 2nd Conspiracy to commit Tampering with Witness

Daniela Penco-Camara, 28 of Trenton

• Conspiracy

• 2nd Degree Promoting Organized Street Crime

• 3rd Degree Money Laundering

• 3rd Degree Maintaining a House of Prostitution

• 2nd Conspiracy to commit Tampering with Witness

“The trafficking of human beings is horrific, particularly when it involves the sexual exploitation of vulnerable women and girls lured to this country under the promise of a better life,” Acting NJ Attorney General Platkin said. “We are committed to working with the State Police and our law enforcement partners to arrest human traffickers and rescue their victims from the shadows, where these crimes occur.”

Daniel Handerson Camara Perico and Daniela Penco-Camara remain at large. All other suspects were held in Mercer County Jail pending detention hearings.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, please call 855-END-NJ-HT. All tips remain anonymous.

— Edited press release from the NJ State Police