Man Sentenced to 60 Years for Running 2 Brothels in Asbury Park

Paulino 'Pablo' Macolas-Aguirre led a criminal ring that operated four brothels in Asbury Park and Trenton.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 12:15pm

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Paulino 'Pablo' Macolas-Aguirre, 46, of Trenton, was sentenced to 60 years in state prison for operating two brothels in Asbury Park and two in Trenton. At the brothels, minors and hundreds of adult women engaged in commercial sex, with men purchasing poker chips to select women for 15-minute sex acts. Macolas-Aguirre recruited the victims, supervised the operations, and profited from the criminal enterprise.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing problem of human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, including minors, in the sex trade. It also demonstrates the organized and sophisticated nature of some prostitution rings, which can involve complex financial transactions and security measures to evade law enforcement.

The details

Macolas-Aguirre was the leader of a criminal ring that operated four houses of prostitution - two in Asbury Park and two in Trenton. At the brothels, men purchased poker chips that entitled them to select a woman for sexual activity in 15-minute increments. House managers kept detailed ledgers showing women engaging in sex acts with upwards of 30 men per day. The Hudson Street house in Trenton was fortified with security measures like a padlock, wooden plank, and surveillance system.

  • On May 11, 2022, NJ State Police detectives executed search warrants on the brothels and Macolas-Aguirre's personal residence.
  • Macolas-Aguirre was convicted last August of various charges related to the criminal enterprise.

The players

Paulino 'Pablo' Macolas-Aguirre

A 46-year-old man from Trenton who was the leader of a criminal ring that operated four brothels in Asbury Park and Trenton.

Edy Villeda-Estrada

One of Macolas-Aguirre's employees who acted as a 'house manager' and was arrested at one of the brothels.

Daniel Camara Bonito

One of Macolas-Aguirre's employees who acted as a 'house manager' and was arrested at one of the brothels.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Theresa Hilton, Director of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Macolas-Aguirre to be released on bail while he appeals his conviction.

The takeaway

This case highlights the serious problem of human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals in the sex trade. It demonstrates the need for continued vigilance and law enforcement efforts to dismantle organized prostitution rings and hold the perpetrators accountable.