The Berlin Turnpike

A True Story of Human Trafficking in America

Raymond Bechard

Sons of Liberty Press

New York

Copyright 2011 Raymond Bechard

All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or parts
thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing
from the publisher. For information, address Sons of Liberty Press, Mulberry
Street, New York, NY 10013 USA
First published 2011 by Sons of Liberty Press
First printing, Sons of Liberty Press Paperbacks, 2011
Printed in the United States of America
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
The Berlin Turnpike: A True Story of Human Trafficking in America / written
by Raymond Bechard / edited by Anne Witkavich and Andrea Barton
p.cm.
Includes bibliographical references and addendum
ISBN 978-0-615-44136-8 (pbk. : alk. Paper)
1. Human rights Human trafficking Case studies. 2. Legal Trial
law Case studies. 3. History American aspects Case studies.
4. Social sciences Sexuality Exploitation Case studies. 5. Crime
Human trafficking Case studies. 6. Crime Prostitution Case studies.
I. Bechard, Raymond, 1961
HA31.S771 2011 454.320272-dc22

2019054267

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10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

To my mother, Florence,
my greatest inspiration.

The Berlin Turnpike

A True Story of Human Trafficking in America

_______________________
Raymond Bechard

Contents
The Players......................................................................................................................i
Introduction..................................................................................................................iii
DAY ONE
1 The Lively Procession........................................................................................1
2 Something Happened to Me............................................................................7
3 A Thing of Beauty, Helpfulness, and Joy Forever........................................9
4 The Revolving Door........................................................................................10
5 Ready to Proceed..............................................................................................17
6 Opening Statement The Prosecution........................................................18.
7 Human Trafficking...........................................................................................21
8 Opening Statement The Defense...............................................................24
9 Law of the Land...............................................................................................27
10 Testimony of Marianne C. Part I...............................................................31
11 Kill Your Fantasies...........................................................................................33
12 The Testimony of Marianne C. Part II.....................................................36
13 Hidden in Plain Sight.......................................................................................39
14 Testimony of Marianne C. Part III............................................................52
15 Details................................................................................................................57
16 Testimony of Marianne C. Part IV............................................................58
17 Constans et perpetua voluntas, jus suum cuique tribuendi........................60
18 Testimony of Marianne C. Part V..............................................................66
19 The Same Flesh and Blood.............................................................................67
20 Testimony of Eileen K. Part I....................................................................69
21 Give it all to me!...............................................................................................71
22 Testimony of Eileen K. Part II......................................................................74
23 Every Day Every Night...................................................................................76
24 Testimony of Eileen K. Part III.................................................................85

 25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35

You Never Know Whats Going to Hit You Until it Strikes.....................87

Traffic in Souls..................................................................................................94
Testimony of Eileen K. Part III...............................................................100
Ceremonies, Bizarre and Barbaric...............................................................103
Testimony of Jennifer D. Part I................................................................107
The Fancy Trade.............................................................................................109
Testimony of Jennifer D. Part II..............................................................110
A Yankee Lyric................................................................................................115
Testimony of Jennifer D. Part III.............................................................118
Someone Very Inviting and Sweet...............................................................122
Testimony of Jennifer D. Part IV.............................................................123

DAY TWO
36 A System of Fraud.........................................................................................127
37 Testimony of Jennifer D. Part V..............................................................130
38 Jeremiah Donovan.........................................................................................134
39 Testimony of Jennifer D. Part VI.............................................................136
40 Kaylas Story....................................................................................................138
41 Testimony of Jennifer D. Part VII...........................................................141
42 These Streets Dont Sleep.............................................................................143
43 Testimony of Jennifer D. Part VIII.........................................................144
44 The Great Hurricane.....................................................................................146
45 Testimony of Melissa P. Part I..................................................................149
46 Speculators......................................................................................................153
47 Testimony of Melissa P. Part II................................................................153
48 So Far Away.....................................................................................................154
49 Testimony of Melissa P. Part III...............................................................156
50 Complicity.......................................................................................................157
51 Testimony of Melissa P. Part IV...............................................................158
52 Master Plan......................................................................................................164
53 Testimony of Melissa P. Part V................................................................168
54 Please Help Me...............................................................................................171
55 Testimony of Melissa P. Part VI...............................................................172
56 What Daddy Says, Goes................................................................................175
57 Testimony of Melissa P. Part VII.............................................................177
58 Cash Cow.........................................................................................................183
59 Testimony of Melissa P. Part VIII...........................................................185
60 Step On It........................................................................................................188
61 Testimony of Melissa P. Part IX...............................................................189
62 Get Some Shovels..........................................................................................191

DAY THREE
63 Oasis.................................................................................................................194
64 Testimony of Michael Huchko Part I......................................................200
65 A Peace That is No Peace.............................................................................201
66 Testimony of Michael Huchko Part II....................................................207
67 Testimony of Dennis Ireland Part I..........................................................209
68 Testimony of Kathleen C.............................................................................211
DAY FOUR
69 Uncorrectable Sin...........................................................................................225
70 Testimony of FBI Agent Christine Grispino Part I..............................232
71 Testimony of IRS Agent Douglas Werth Part I....................................233
72 Theres Nothing in Their Eyes.....................................................................238
73 Testimony of IRS Agent Douglas Werth Part II...................................239
DAY FIVE
74 Just Below the Surface...................................................................................241
75 Testimony of Dennis Ireland Part II........................................................248
76 I Wanted Freedom.........................................................................................249
77 Testimony of Dennis Ireland Part III......................................................250
78 Testimony of FBI Agent Christine Grispino Part II............................251
79 For So Many Years.........................................................................................253
DAY SIX
80 Decay................................................................................................................255
81 Testimony of Carrine L.................................................................................257
82 Testimony of Dennis Paris Part I............................................................258
83 Boldly and Recklessly.....................................................................................260
84 Testimony of Dennis Paris Part II...........................................................264
85 A Different Breed..........................................................................................266
86 Testimony of Dennis Paris Part III.........................................................268.
87 Ride or Die......................................................................................................272
88 Testimony of Dennis Paris Part IV.........................................................275
89 Thats What the World is Like......................................................................281
90 Testimony of Dennis Paris Part V...........................................................282
91 Women are Human Beings...........................................................................283
92 Testimony of Dennis Paris Part VI.........................................................286
93 Clickity Clack Clickity Clack.........................................................................289
94 Testimony of Dennis Paris Part VII........................................................290
95 You Want to Die.............................................................................................293

 96
97
98
99
.100

Testimony of Dennis Paris Part VIII......................................................294

How Sharp is My Game?..............................................................................301
Testimony of Dennis Paris Part IX.........................................................311
The Girl is the New Drug.............................................................................319
Testimony of Dennis Paris Part X...........................................................328

DAY SEVEN
.101 Paved with Good Intentions........................................................................339
.102 Testimony of FBI Agent Christine Grispino Part III...........................378
.103 Closing Arguments Part I..........................................................................380
.104 No One Comes to Get Them......................................................................383
.105 Closing Arguments Part II........................................................................388
.106 Snow Bunny....................................................................................................392
.107 Closing Arguments Part III.......................................................................396
DAY EIGHT
.108 The Sea of Victims........................................................................................411
.109 No Handles on the Doors............................................................................434
.110 The Jury Part I.............................................................................................435
.111 I Already Knew the Answer.........................................................................438
.112 The Jury Part II...........................................................................................439
.113 Dead Wrong....................................................................................................441
.114 The Jury Part III.........................................................................................445
.115 The Berlin Turnpike.......................................................................................446
.116 Deliberations...................................................................................................453
.117 The Fawn.........................................................................................................454
.118 The Verdict......................................................................................................455
.119 The Day After.................................................................................................456
Acknowledgements...................................................................................................460
Addendum One: The Indictment...........................................................................462
Addendum Two: The Jury Admonition................................................................467
Addendum Three: TheHonorable Christopher F. Droney,
United States District Judge.................................................................................468
Addendum Four: Explanation of Testimony Text and Punctuation...............469
Bibliography and Notations....................................................................................470
Reference Resources.................................................................................................506

The Berlin Turnpike

The Players
In the complicated drama that is the trial of United States vs. Dennis Paris, this
list of real-life characters is provided for reference:
The Trial:
- The Honorable Christopher F. Droney, United States District Judge for
the District of Connecticut
- James Genco Prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney
- Andrew Kline Prosecutor, Attorney for the Civil Rights Division of
the U.S. Department of Justice. Junior Advisor, Executive Office of the
President, Washington, D.C.
- Jeremiah Donovan Defense Attorney
- Dennis Paris, also known as, Rahmyti (pronounced Rah-ME-tee)
Defendant
Investigators:
- Douglas Werth, Special Agent, Internal Revenue Service, New Haven,
Connecticut
- Christine Grispino Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Deborah Scates, Officer, Hartford Police Department, Hartford,
Connecticut Investigative Task Force Leader
- Christopher McKee, Sergeant, Windsor Police Department, Windsor,
Connecticut
Witnesses:
- Melissa P. Witness for the prosecution
- Eileen K. / W. Witness for the prosecution
- Marianne C. Witness for the prosecution
- Jennifer D. Witness for the prosecution
- Kathleen C. Witness for the prosecution
- Dennis Ireland Witness for the prosecution
- Michael Huchko Witness for the prosecution
- Carrine L. Witness for the defense
Others:
- Brian Forbes Escort Service Owner
- Danny Rhodes Kathleen C.s partner/boyfriend
- Aunt Cindy Jennifer D.s Aunt
- Shanaya Hicks, also known as, Toni Brian Forbes girlfriend
- Ron Martinez Escort Service Owner/Bail Bondsman
- Kaz Tanuis Ron Martinezs partner
- Volaria Dennis Paris sister
- Barry Perez drug dealer
- Walito drug dealer

The Berlin Turnpike

The Berlin Turnpike

I do not wish to think, or speak, or write, with moderation....I am in earnest. I
will not equivocate. I will not excuse. I will not retreat a single inch. And I will
be heard.
William Lloyd Garrison 1831
Publisher, The Liberator abolitionist newspaper
We are living in perilous times. This great nation of ours, bought with the price
of blood, and saved again by the same sacrifice, is in danger of departing from
the principles of our fathers.
E. Norine Law - 1909
The Shame of a Great Nation: The Story of the White Slave Trade
In seeking the truth, I have not thought it necessary to speak of outrage on
every page. But all the same the question is, How was the business tolerated for
so long?
Hugh Thomas - 1997
The Slave Trade: The Story of the Atlantic Slave Trade, 1440 1870

INTRODUCTION
Police are asking for help locating a fugitive with an outstanding felony arrest
warrant for promoting prostitution and risk of injury to a minor. Wilfredo
Carrillo, 32, is accused of running a prostitution business with young girls in
Hartford and New York City.
The Hartford Courant
June 22, 2010
This brief article in the Hartford Courant during the early days of summer
shocked the affluent communities surrounding Connecticuts capital city. In
large part, their readers still believed as most Americans did that the prostitution
of young girls simply does not happen in our town. They chose to look at
this phenomenon as something that occurred only in other countries, in areas
plagued by poverty, or to girls who did not look like their daughters.
Very few people who read the Carrillo article that warm Tuesday morning or
who saw the grainy image of his face on the local television news remembered
the name Dennis Paris. Had his name come to mind, no one would have been
surprised to learn that women of all ages, even young girls, were being forced,
defrauded, or coerced into selling themselves to Connecticut men men who
were living in their towns, their neighborhoods, and their own homes.
iii

The Berlin Turnpike

As the police and the public continued to look for Wilfredo Carrillo, there
was no reference to the landmark, yet overlooked, federal trial that had taken place
in Hartford three years earlier. No one in the media mentioned the unique role
Connecticut played in the story of human trafficking in America and its direct
connection to the commercial sexual exploitation of girls across the country.
During the Paris trial in June 2007, only a few short articles in local papers
attempted to cover the story so filled with the complexities of an all too
common conspiracy that had remained hidden for years in the suburbs of one
of Americas richest cities. Perhaps the reporters and editors, the TV anchors
and assignment editors at the time did not know what to make of or how
to explain a prostitution ring accused of human trafficking. After all, the
girls in the case were not from other countries, nor were they smuggled across
the borders into America. They were neither kidnapped nor stolen from their
families. How could this be human trafficking?
Resting too easily on the myths that stories of human trafficking, child
trafficking, sex trafficking, or modern-day slavery must necessarily involve
young girls born outside the United States, who are abducted, or otherwise
moved vast distances from their homes, every element of the media seemingly
found the realities exposed by the trial far too convoluted. Following the labyrinth
of veiled crimes described during the testimony led most observers outside the
realm of their perspective. Consequently, the media, the public and history
itself completely ignored the case of United States vs. Dennis Paris.
As such, few recognized the dire urgency of a social phenomenon that has
been prevalent in the nation for nearly two centuries. Overlooking these truths
clearly illustrates how we have chosen to ignore the realities of commercial
sexual exploitation in America, all to the detriment of its victims.
To be perfectly clear, this is a true story of human trafficking in America as
told through the testimony of that trial. The case of United States vs. Dennis
Paris provides a unique and detailed account of how a specific type of trafficking
commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) takes place throughout the United
States, involving mostly female minors and young adults. While we touch on
related topics, the overall objective is to closely examine this heretofore ignored
truth. This one case contains every element of a crime reliant on secrecy; hiding
behind a scintillating veil of growing legitimacy.
Indeed, American CSE is buried just below the surface of our cultures
mainstream reality. The myth is that it disguises itself as a different monster, an
evil face that is easy to recognize. The truth is far more devious and complex.
In the shadows of our daily lives, this silent explosion of crime and abuse hides
behind masks of false innocence and legitimacy. Through the testimony of
the case we learn where and how these events take place from the perspective
iv

The Berlin Turnpike

of the prosecution, defense, and witnesses. We also learn a great deal about
the geographic locations where these and related historical events happened in
America. They all occurred within a tiny, wealthy area of central Connecticut,
and, at its very core, a 12-mile stretch of concrete called the Berlin Turnpike.
While unique in its character and biography, the Berlin Turnpike is
exceptionally ordinary in the qualities that attract prostitution, human trafficking,
and all forms of commercial sexual exploitation. It accurately represents
the dangerously magnetic commonalities shared by thousands of roadways,
neighborhoods, businesses, print publications, and websites hiding throughout
the nation. By exposing the truth behind all forms of sexual exploitation
happening on the Berlin Turnpike, we discover the difficult truth lurking in
every American community.
Some years ago I wrote a book called Unspeakable: The Hidden Truth Behind
the Worlds Fastest Growing Crime. It was an expos of child trafficking as it exists
around the world. At the time, it was difficult to find reliable information
pertaining to human trafficking especially as it related to children. The subject
of trafficking in persons had not yet made its way into the public discourse, the
media, or onto the agendas of service organizations.
Now that dynamic has changed. While many individuals, schools, educators,
religious and political organizations, as well as the news media, have pounced on
human trafficking as the next Cause of the Moment, it is, today, even more
difficult to find reliable information on the topic. I stress this point because
the great majority of available material is solely based on opinion, idealistic
philosophy, conjecture, anecdotes, misconceptions, or pure fiction. Information
while increasingly available is not reliable. I have observed that this lack
of erudition and the subsequent shortage of decisive data is a consequence
of the mounting frenzy to raise funds, acquire votes, increase ratings, advance
personal agendas or, worse, an egotistical desire for self-promotion even at the
expense of trafficking victims and those who are truly working to save them.
Quite simply, those providing information they claim is impeccable often have
alternative agendas.
We will discover here that this deplorable trend is not new. In 1911, exactly
100 years prior to the initial publication of this book, Emma Goldman, a
controversial anarchist and an activist for womens rights and social issues of the
late 19th and early 20th centuries, proclaimed vehemently that, Our reformers
have suddenly made a great discovery the white slave traffic. The papers are
full of these unheard of conditions, and lawmakers are already planning a new
set of laws to check the horror. To assume that the recent investigation of
the white slave traffic (and, by the way, a very superficial investigation)[sic] has
discovered anything new, is, to say the least, very foolish.
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The Berlin Turnpike

As such, this book is not for the foolish. It is not for those who refer to
themselves as experts in the field of human trafficking or commercial sexual
exploitation. Certainly, the only true experts are the survivors of the crime
itself. Here, we rely on these young women Marie, Danita, and Simone
among others to bravely pull back this heavy shroud and reveal their truth
and their humanity. The people who claim expertise in this field have enough
reports, books, articles, conferences, and speeches to keep them busy. Though
it would do them no harm to give this volume more than just a passing glance, it
has not been published for their sake. It is meant for those of us who live along
the Berlin Turnpikes of America.
These helter-skelter strips of pavement are unique to this nation. Their
constantly evolving nature is unpredictable; their tumultuous history is often
difficult to discover; their stories are a multifarious collection exemplifying our
ongoing commercial attempts to fulfill all possible human desires. The only
path to understanding them is to stop and examine every destination they have
to offer, no matter how reviling. At first, minute details seem unconnected.
Then, by exploring each location, a broader, heretofore unseen picture emerges.
Indeed, comprehending what waits for us on the road ahead begins with the
perspective that nothing is irrelevant.
Like the roadway from which its title is taken, The Berlin Turnpike offers a
multitude of destinations.
Throughout this volume, diverse, even chaotic, stories march by us. This
roadway is lined with characters and events appearing out of nowhere like
countless storefronts old and new. Some messages have faded with time like paint
on signs from long ago. Others shine with obnoxious, neon glare. Sporadic quotes
are its billboards. Attempts at clarity, like streetlights, are never quite enough.
The journeys end is left to the reader.
To borrow a phrase from Ross Perot, The activist is not the man who says
the river is dirty. The activist is the man who cleans up the river. The contents
here do not demand the generic outrage against human trafficking a term so
terribly overused as to render it meaningless. Typically, sensational storytelling
told at the expense of victims is used by a cadre of advocates habitually
calling for outrage solely because they have no better solutions or suggestions.
Nor will the reader find recycled, outdated statistics, and phrases meant to raise
awareness, raise funds, or raise up with one voice! These loud cries, so
prevalent in speeches, blogs, educational presentations, statistical studies,
across the Internet, and the throughout todays journalism, amount to little
more than a hollow call to arms. Far too much damage has already occurred
from this careless propaganda. It will not be repeated here.
We are going to start from scratch.
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The Berlin Turnpike

By exploring the history of commercial sexual exploitation and its close
cousin, slavery, in America we gain an entirely new perspective on the evolution
of this ancient violation against humanity. Our examination is aided by individuals
who have long since passed into and have often been forgotten by history.
Their lives and work exemplify the compassion and courage necessary to aid
those so damaged by all forms of servitude. They also show us the astounding
similarities between the trafficking of their time and ours. Not among those left
behind by antiquity is John D. Rockefeller. While his immeasurable influence
on modernity and capitalism continue to be debated by scholars, his interest in
medicine and the ills of early 20th century America undoubtedly contributed
to greater scientific research and the overall body of our understanding. As
Chairman of the Bureau of Social Hygiene, he was instrumental in the tragically
overlooked 1913 study, Commercialized Prostitution in New York City. This
one detailed report not only provides a time travelers look into CSE 100 years
before the Dennis Paris trial, but also stunning evidence that very little has
changed in the conditions responsible for vice.
There is no need for further explanation and certainly none for dramatization,
melodrama, or shrill pontificating. History, the facts, and the victims speak for
themselves. And you, the reader, can decide your own response. Here, the
agenda is not personal, political, religious, or financial.
The only purpose is to place you in the jury box.
Be aware this is a terribly dark topic. Most people live behind a self-imposed,
invisible barrier that stands between them and the truth. That barrier, their
curtain of comfort, is a lie. While you are commended for your courage to
explore and understand the issue of human trafficking in America, be warned
before you begin that we are about to undertake an ugly journey. It is impossible
to look closely at this subject without feeling the dirt on your hands. It would be
irresponsible to withhold a stern message about the horrors to which you will
be exposed. There is no need to be dramatic at any point. The R rating of
this material is not included for any other reason than to expose the realities of
a hidden world that lives much closer to each of us than we realize.
The actual words spoken by the Prosecution and Defense to the Dennis
Paris jury make this warning clear:
Would it bother you to hear about graphic or illicit sex in the course of the
trial? I just want to tell you right now that although it may be distasteful; there
will be testimony about some fairly graphic or explicit sex acts that occurred.
And we just wanted to comment that this is not done to make you uneasy
obviously, but the purpose of that is to prove this case. That we are required
and will be proving the prostitution business and the force and the coercion
vii

The Berlin Turnpike

and other things by very explicit and specific descriptions about what these girls
went through, what they experienced.
U.S. Attorney James Genco
From the prosecutions opening statement in the case of United States vs.
Dennis Paris
There are going to be some graphic descriptions of sex. And, you know,
were not back in the Victorian times when women were thought to be such
ethereal creatures that they couldnt sit on juries at all, much less a jury like this.
And Im sure that there will be testimony concerning sex. Did sex occur on
some of these dates with these escort service, Im sure it did. But, you know,
harkening back to our childhood, did sex occur when the Fuller Brush salesman
met a lonely housewife or the handsome lifeguard in the country club? Sure.
Does that mean that the country club or the Fuller Brush Company is guilty of
prostitution? No.
Defense Attorney Jeremiah Donovan
From his opening statement in the case of United States vs. Dennis Paris

viii