Vernon Office Raided, Hotel Owner Charged in Prostitution Case

MANCHESTER/VERNON, CT — The owner of a Manchester hotel was arrested Tuesday on prostitution- and trafficking-related charges in a case that spilled into the raid of a business office in Vernon Wednesday, state police said.

Charges filed against Simon Hessler after he was taken into custody in Manchester include attempted and conspiracy at trafficking in persons, attempted felony-patronizing a prostitute and attempted second-degree sexual assault, state police said.

State police said he is the owner of the Baymont Inn & Suites in Manchester.

More and/or revised charges will likely be forthcoming, state police said.

The state police computer crimes unit and the Eastern District Major Crimes Squad were at 615 Talcottville Road in Vernon Wednesday, searching the building via a warrant in a "follow up investigation from the arrest," state police said.

The converted cape-style home appears to be an office for a hospitality business, but it also appeared to be closed Wednesday during the raid.

Hessler's initial bond was set at $250,000 and was upped at a Wednesday court appearance to $1 million, state police said.

State police said Hessler, of Ellington, was attempting to exchange a preteen girl for money, but the girl was instead a trooper posing as a child.

The Vernon business contained whips, chains, handcuffs and a cage And served as a “sex dungeon" for Hessler, authorities said.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel; CSP

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