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Police, FBI Smash Sex-For-Money Human-Trafficking Ring Based In Danbury

DANBURY, Conn. — A Westport man and a Danbury man are facing charges in a human-trafficking ring in which young males with mental health issues were delivered to wealthy clients throughout Connecticut for sex, Danbury Police said Thursday.

William Trefzger

William Trefzger

Photo Credit: Danbury Police Department
Robert King

Robert King

Photo Credit: Danbury Police Department
Bruce Bemer

Bruce Bemer

Photo Credit: Danbury Police Department

William Trefzger, 71, of 99 Greens Farms Road, Westport, was charged with patronizing a trafficked person. His bond was set at $500,000.

Robert King of Danbury, who had been previously arrested in the case, was charged with promoting prostitution and witness tampering.

A third man, Bruce Bemer, 63, of 215 Sherwood Drive, Glastonbury, was charged with patronizing a trafficked person. His bond was set at $500,000.

Trefzger and Bemer were arraigned in Danbury Superior Court on Thursday and held in custody.

The two arrests were made by Danbury detectives and special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Haven Office.  

The Norwich Bulletin reported that Bemer is the owner of the New London-Waterford Speedbowl race track and was arrested Tuesday night at his gas company, Bemer Petroleum Corp., which is based in Glastonbury.

Danbury police said the ring operated out of Danbury but reached other cities across the state and may have been operating for decades even thought the investigation began only in January.

This investigation is continuing and additional arrests expected, police said.

This case is being prosecuted by the Danbury State’s Attorney’s Office.

In July 2010, Trefzger, thne 66, was charged with touching another man in a sexual manner who was staying in Trefzger'’s home, police said. He pleaded guilty to fourth-degree sexual assault three months later and received a six-month suspended jail sentence and 18 months of probation.

This case was investigated by the Danbury Police Detective Bureau, the FBI and the Danbury State’s Attorney’s Office with assistance from the United States Marshal Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Connecticut. 

Also assisting were the Glastonbury Police Department, the Westport Police Department and the Connecticut Department of Adult Probation.

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