An Ellington man and Manchester hotel owner arrested on attempted sex trafficking charges allegedly had a “sex dungeon” on one of his properties, according to Connecticut State Police.
Simon Hessler, 46, was arrested Tuesday after an undercover investigation into underage human sex trafficking.
Hessler owns and manages the Baymont Inn and Suites in Manchester, police said. According to state police, Hessler tried to pay an undercover trooper to bring an underage victim to his hotel property. According to court documents, Hessler told an undercover trooper that he could house an underage girl in a camper parked behind the hotel. Police said that Hessler intended to have sex with and forcibly restrain that preteen victim.
According to court documents, during conversations with undercover law enforcement Hessler said he had a "dungeon" that he used for "slave training" for young, inexperienced girls. The documents state that Hessler sent pictures of a room with multiple beds with whips and chains and handcuffs on the walls. Hessler also said he'd been doing the "training of slaves" for over 20 years and had customers all over from New York City to Boston, according to the documents.
During a search of Hessler’s properties, investigators reported finding that "sex dungeon" at an address in Vernon that Hessler used as office space.
Hessler was arrested and charged with attempted and conspiracy at tracking in persons, attempted felony patronizing a prostitute, attempted second-degree sexual assault, attempted impairing the morals of a minor, attempted unlawful restraint, attempted cruelty to persons, and attempted promotion of child pornography. He was held on a $1 million bond.
Authorities believe there are other victims. Anyone with information should contact Connecticut State Police at 203-427-4062.
