Chester County man arrested for trafficking two teenage girls from Mexico and Guatemala to work at a mushroom farm.

A 36-year-old man from Chester County has been charged with human trafficking, accused of coercing two teenage girls from Mexico and Guatemala to work long hours at a mushroom farm without adequate compensation. According to state Attorney General Dave Sunday, Ramiro Caal Jolomna allegedly threatened the girls with punishment or deportation if they resisted his demands.

Jolomna, whose last known residence was in New Garden Township, faces several serious charges, including multiple counts of trafficking in individuals and involuntary servitude. His bail has been set at million, as confirmed by the Attorney General’s office in a recent news release.

In addition to the human trafficking charges, court records indicate that Jolomna is also facing a charge related to concealing the death of a child, though details surrounding this charge remain largely undisclosed. He has been in custody since his arrest in September 2024 on separate charges related to child pornography, for which bail was set at 0,000.

While the Attorney General’s office did not provide further comments regarding the case, there is currently no attorney publicly listed for Jolomna in the human trafficking matter. Attempts to reach the public defender representing him in the child pornography case were unsuccessful.

The victims, aged 14 and 17, were reportedly coerced into work with the justification of “debts” owed to Jolomna for their transport to the United States. The younger girl, who came from Mexico, was allegedly forced to work grueling 16-hour shifts each day, with her earnings being signed over to Jolomna and his wife. Alongside her work at the mushroom farm, she was also made to perform domestic tasks, including cleaning the defendant’s home.

The 17-year-old girl was introduced to the U.S. in a sponsorship scenario and faced similarly exploitative conditions. She sought to provide financially for her ailing father and other relatives in Guatemala, yet Jolomna retained most of her earnings.

This case underscores the grim realities of labor trafficking, a concern that, while less frequently spotlighted, represents a severe violation of human rights. Attorney General Sunday emphasized the disturbing nature of this case, highlighting the vulnerability of individuals aiming to make a better life for themselves and support their families. The narrative surrounding labor trafficking, he noted, reveals the dehumanizing tactics that entrap victims in cycles of exploitation and fear.

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