Sunday, January 17, 2016

36,000 Demand Investigation of State Police Involvement in Human Trafficking

Join more than 36,000 people who demand an investigation into State Police involvement in human trafficking.

On March 29, 2012, a 35-page arrest warrant was unsealed by New Britain Superior Court in Connecticut. The details of this one case reveal much about how the world of human trafficking is alive and well in every community across America . . . and why those guilty of these crimes rarely see appropriate justice.
According to court documents, several witnesses told investigators that State Police Trooper, Pearl Kelly-Paris, actively ran a human trafficking operation with her husband, Jaykuan Paris. 
Together, Jaykuan and Pearl operated the illegal business out of their New Britain, Connecticut home. The extensive investigation, led by the FBI, revealed information that proved Jaykuan and the State Trooper were arranging “for the prostitution of several females, in some cases by means of force, fraud and/or coercion” – the legal definition of human trafficking - and that they regularly advertised in the “escort” section of several websites including Backpage.com. 
The words of the witnesses/victims in these statements clearly expose the truth behind the abuse women suffer from the tyrannical behavior of their violent pimps - in this case Jaykuan Paris and a member of the Connecticut State Police. 
According to the victims under his control Jaykuan would regularly “beat his women” if they received “bad reviews” on “escort” service websites. The users of these sites, often men who refer to themselves as “hobbyists,” readily “chat” about and “rate” the women whose sexual services they have paid for. 
Another witness/victim told police that while Pearl was on active-duty as a Connecticut State Trooper, she arrived at a motel in Rocky Hill, Connecticut - in uniform and driving her State Police cruiser - and handed a digital camera to her husband, Mr. Paris. He then proceeded to photograph the witness/victim, his wife, Pearl - the Trooper - and another woman. All three women, including the State Trooper, wore black lingerie and face masks for the photographs. 
He then posted the photos throughout online “escort” advertisements on Backpage.com. The “escort” ads would then generate calls from men looking to pay for sex. Even though the two-year State and Federal investigation proved that both Jaykuan Paris and Pearl Kelly-Parris were in clear violation of human trafficking crimes as defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), neither were charged accordingly. 
Jaykuan was arrested in November, 2011 and charged by the State of Connecticut only with second-degree promoting prostitution. He pleaded No Contest and will serve less than four years in prison. 
Pearl, the State Trooper, was arrested in May, 2012 and charged by the State of Connecticut with second-degree promoting prostitution and second-degree conspiracy to promote prostitution. She initially pleaded not guilty to each of these crimes. However, after a very quiet deal with state prosecutors, she changed her plea to "guilty" on October 23, 2014.
This is where the story becomes very secretive. After two years of absolute silence on the case, and with multiple orders from the court to keep the records of the case sealed from the public, the Connecticut State Trooper, guilty of human trafficking crimes on a wide and abusive scale, but only charged with "promoting prostitution," was sentenced to a mere two years probation.
Why were her crimes treated so lightly? What leverage did she have on State officials? We are demanding answers.
“We tried for more, but this is all they would do,” explained a Connecticut State Police Spokesperson when asked about the comparatively minor charges Pearl received, especially in light of the extensive federal investigation.
Another source within the State of Connecticut told us, "Pearl was smart. She made sure she had dirt on important people in case she ever got caught." It appears she may have used that dirt to wipe her slate clean. 
Unfortunately, there is a two year gap in records pertaining to Pearl's case. No court records exist between November, 2012 and her final hearing, at which she was "sentenced" to probation on October 23, 2014. Further, much of her 35 page arrest warrant is redacted, with pertinent information deleted by someone with an interest in keeping Pearl's "dirt" buried forever.
This is why we are demanding full transparency in this case. If others within State government share in the  guilt of these human trafficking crimes, there must be accountability.
If lies stay hidden in the dark corners of power, the abuse of human trafficking will continue forever. If we demand the truth, then those with the arrogance to think they can continue committing this crime will finally be brought to justice.

Labels: , , ,