Hartford Man Convicted Of Human Trafficking, Promoting Prostitutes: State

HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford man has been convicted of multiple human trafficking and promoting prostitution charges following a jury trial in Hartford Superior Court, prosecutors announced.

A jury on Oct. 7 found Gordon Newkirk, 63, of Hartford, guilty of five counts of trafficking in persons, one count of first-degree promoting prostitution and one count of third-degree promoting prostitution, according to Hartford Judicial District State's Attorney Sharmese L. Walcott on Thursday.

The case stemmed from a Sept. 27, 2023, 911 call to Bloomfield police from a person living in Newkirk's home.

The caller reported witnessing a physical altercation between Newkirk and another resident, prosecutors said.

An ensuing investigation found that Newkirk had posted online advertisements offering women for sexual services, according to the state's attorney's office.

Bloomfield police and the Regionalized Human Trafficking Recovery Taskforce further determined that Newkirk befriended certain women and, in one instance, bonded a woman out of prison before providing housing, prosecutors said.

In return, the women were required to participate in sexual encounters arranged by Newkirk, according to the state's attorney's office.

Walcott and Deputy Assistant State's Attorney Olivia Jones prosecuted the case with assistance from Inspector Robert Nesci and Paralegal Specialist Kelly Randall.

Judge Courtney M. Chaplin presided over the trial.

Newkirk is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 9 in Hartford Superior Court.

For more information on the case, click on this link.