New Brunswick Man Who Ran Motel Prostitution Operation Sentenced

A New Brunswick man who operated a prostitution operation out of a Bucks County, Pa. motel was sentenced Monday to 11½ to 23 years in state prison.

According to the Bucks County District Attorney's office, Christopher DeGrasse, 32, pleaded guilty to trafficking individuals for financial gain, promoting prostitution, corrupt organizations and drug trafficking.

DeGrasse was arrested in April at the Best Western Motel on Street Road in Bensalem, Pa. after he had just left a room with four women who were working for him as prostitutes, authorities say.

When police interviewed the woman, they said DeGrasse photographed them and posted the photos on internet advertisements for prostitution. The women told police that DeGrasse set rates for their services, as well as "strict quotas" for how much money they had to make each day – typically about $800.

The women who made their quotas were rewarded with drugs, like heroin or crack cocaine. Those who did not make their quota were denied drugs and threatened or subjected to violence, the District Attorney's office said.

One woman said DeGrasse had beaten her "numerous" times and told her "the only way you are leaving is in a body bag.”

A New Jersey woman, Kiahna Dade, 23, of Woodbridge, is accused of assisting DeGrasse in his prostitution business. As part of the plea agreement with DeGrasse, Dade will be allowed to receive a time-served sentence for her role, District Attorney Matthew Weintraub said.

DeGrasse’s sentence begins Oct. 4. He was released on $100,000 unsecured bail, and his whereabouts will be monitored electronically via a cuff placed on his leg, authorities said.

Bucks County Judge Wallace H. Bateman Jr. said his sentence was commensurate with the crime — “particularly harsh.”