NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - A New Jersey man has been convicted of federal racketeering and murder charges in a criminal enterprise that brought people into the country illegally to work in New Jersey brothels.
A federal court jury in Newark on Monday convicted 29-year-old Wilmer Chavez-Romero of all eight counts including racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, and murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
Federal prosecutors said Chavez-Romero was the “enforcer” of a large-scale prostitution ring that operated in Cumberland, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Prosecutors say Chavez-Romero committed assaults and robberies to attack rival operations, punished disloyal members of the organization and carried out killings.
Chavez-Romero, also known as “Charmin,” is said to have been the house manager for the group’s Bridgeton brothel. He faces a possible life sentence.
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