NEW JERSEY – A Trenton man who prosecutors said led a large-scale prostitution and human trafficking operation spanning Monmouth and Mercer counties has been sentenced to 60 years in state prison, including 20 years without parole, state officials announced.
Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said Paulino “Pablo” Macolas-Aguirre, 46, was convicted of leading a criminal enterprise that operated houses of prostitution in Asbury Park and Trenton, exploiting a minor and hundreds of adult women.
Following an August 21, 2025, verdict in Mercer County Superior Court, Macolas-Aguirre was found guilty of conspiracy, racketeering, human trafficking, promoting prostitution, endangering the welfare of a child, financial facilitation of criminal activity and promoting organized street crime.
Prosecutors said the operation included two brothels in Asbury Park and two in Trenton, along with an “outcall” service that transported women to customers throughout Mercer County. Investigators recovered detailed ledgers showing women were forced to engage with dozens of men per day.
Theresa L. Hilton said Macolas-Aguirre recruited victims, supervised managers, handled payments and controlled daily operations. Raids in 2021 and 2022 uncovered fortified properties, large amounts of cash and evidence of an organized, ongoing enterprise.
The investigation was led by the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons and Human Trafficking Unit, with assistance from Trenton and Asbury Park police. Several co-defendants previously pleaded guilty.
David Sierotowicz said the sentence sends a clear message that traffickers will be held accountable.
Anyone who suspects human trafficking can contact the New Jersey Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-END-NJ-HT.
