Sex, murder and mayhem trial starts in Lakewood, Asbury Park brothels case

Austin Bogues | Asbury Park Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Trial begins in man accused of running brothel Wilmer Chavez Romero is accused of managing a brothel for a prostitution operation.

NEWARK - Different portraits of Wilmer Chavez-Romero were painted in federal court on the opening day of his racketeering trial. Prosecutors said he was the "muscle man" in a prostitution operation that spanned across New Jersey, including Asbury Park, Lakewood and Bridgeton.

They said he killed two people in the commission of his enforcement duties. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Wangenheim said Chavez-Romero's job was to "intimidate and eliminate" competitors for his organization.

Chavez-Romero's defense lawyer said his client initially had tried to cooperate with authorities, but had "embellished" stories when he talked with them in recorded interviews.

Defense Attorney Kevin Carlucci argued that Chavez-Romero, 29, took work "off the books" to take care of his family, helping to manage the prostitution operation. He admitted that it was "not an ideal situation."

"He wasn't proud of it, but that's what he did to support his wife and child," Carlucci told the jury.

Chavez-Romero, of New Brunswick, is on trial, accused of one count each of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to harbor aliens resulting in death; two counts of using a firearm for a violent crime; and two counts of murder in aid of racketeering. He faces life in prison if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Chavez-Romero, a stout man, wore a pair of reading glasses, slacks and a dress shirt in court. He walked with a pronounced limp.

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The U.S. Attorney's Office says that the criminal enterprise that employed Chavez-Romero was led by Juan Fredy Hernandez-Zozaya and his wife, Elizabeth Rojas-Rojas. Rojas-Rojas pleaded guilty to charges related to the case in May of 2015. Hernandez-Zozaya is awaiting trial on charges of harboring aliens for prostitution.

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Authorities say that from March 2011 to September 2014, members of the organization committed assault, robbery and murder to thwart rival brothels and to seek “revenge against persons they believed had perpetrated or intended to perpetrate violence against members” of their group.

Each brothel was run by a “house manager” tasked with overseeing the prostitutes and collecting customers’ money, later giving the money to the two leaders. At the trial Wednesday, law enforcement officials for the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office said Chavez-Romero collected the money and would give the johns playing cards or marbles to present to the women as proof of payment.

On Sept. 4, 2012, Chavez-Romero allegedly robbed two people, a man identified in court only as "Felipe" and the other as Nehemias. A U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman identified him as Nehemias Reyes-Gonzales. During that robbery, prosecutors say Chavez-Romero shot Felipe and killed Reyes-Gonzales.

During a Jan. 23, 2013, burglary in Trenton, authorities charge, Chavez-Romero killed Benito Escalante.

The trial is before U.S. District Court Judge William H. Walls.

Austin Bogues; @AustinBogues abogues@app.com