Glastonbury Businessman Rejects Plea Deal In Sex Ring Case

DANBURY, CT — Businessman Bruce Bemer surprised many when he rejected a plea deal that could have kept him out of jail on human trafficking sexual charges.

Bemer was arrested in March 2017 and charged with being a client in a sex trafficking scheme that was based in a Danbury trailer home.

Bemer instead decided he wanted a jury trial, which carries the risk of up to 20 years in prison if convicted, according to the News-Times. His attorney Anthony Spinella said he doesn’t believe the state can make its case and many witnesses lack credibility. Bemer is charged with patronizing a trafficked person.

Bemer owns several businesses across the state, most notably the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. He agreed to put up $25 million in assets to cover potential civil lawsuit awards against him, according to the Hartford Courant.

Police allege that the ring exploited young males with mental health issues. The victims were delivered to wealthy clients.

Robert King ran the operation for more than two decades, according to an arrest warrant. He targeted those with mental health issues ranging from depression to schizophrenia in a sex-for-money scheme, the warrant stated.

King allegedly would offer drugs to the victims in order for them to build up a debt and then would offer them a way out of debt with sex work. A total of 15 victims were identified by police.