WASHINGTON, June 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A federal jury in
Hartford, Conn., found Dennis Paris guilty today for his role in the
operation of a sex- trafficking ring. The jury convicted Paris of knowingly
using minors, including a 14-year-old girl, in his prostitution business
and also of using force, fraud, and various coercive means to compel two
adult victims to perform commercial sex acts for his financial benefit. In
addition to four counts of sex trafficking, Paris was also found guilty of
conspiracy and 13 counts related to the use of interstate facilities to
promote and conduct a prostitution business, as well as three counts of
money laundering. The defendant faces a sentence that ranges from 360
months to life in prison, and a fine of up to $1.5 million.
Paris was charged in a 21-count indictment in December 2006 for crimes
related to his role in the operation of a prostitution and sex trafficking
business from 2000 through 2004, in the Hartford area. Nine co-defendants
in this case have previously pleaded guilty to federal charges including
the sex trafficking of minors and sex trafficking by force, fraud and
coercion.
The evidence at trial proved that the defendant preyed upon the
specific vulnerabilities of his victims including age, socioeconomic
status, living situations, and drug addictions. He used these
vulnerabilities and whatever manipulative means necessary to cause all four
victims to engage in commercial sex acts for his benefit. The victims were
also forced to engage in sex acts with the defendant against their will.
"Sex trafficking is an abhorrent crime that too often occurs in our own
backyards, and too often victimizes children," said Wan J. Kim, Assistant
Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "It is a top priority of
the Justice Department to root out and prosecute those who so ruthlessly
victimize others."
"The defendant was found guilty of conduct that clearly shows that
prostitution is not a victimless crime," said Kevin J. O'Connor, U.S.
Attorney for the District of Connecticut. "The federal government is
committed to prosecuting sex trafficking crimes, particularly when minors
are abused and women are forced to commit sexual acts against their will
and under the threat of violence."
Human trafficking prosecutions are a top priority of the Department. In
the last six fiscal years, the Civil Rights Division, in conjunction with
U.S. Attorneys' Offices, has increased by six-fold the number of human
trafficking cases filed in court. In 2006, the Department obtained a record
number of convictions in human trafficking prosecutions.
The federal trial was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Genco
and Special Litigation Counsel Andrew J. Kline of the Department of
Justice's Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, Civil Rights Division. This
case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hartford
and Windsor Police Departments, and the Internal Revenue Service.
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