United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

HARTFORD MAN SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON FOR OPERATING PROSTITUTION BUSINESSES

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RONALD MARTINEZ, 41, of Hartford, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Christopher F. Droney in Hartford to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for operating prostitution businesses.  On August 22, 2006, MARTINEZ pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to use an interstate facility to promote prostitution, one count of using an interstate facility to promote prostitution, one count of money laundering, and one count of violating the Mann Act, which prohibits the transporting of an individual in interstate or foreign commerce with intent that such individual engage in prostitution, or in any sexual activity.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, MARTINEZ and others operated prostitution businesses and used cellular telephones to promote their businesses by, among other things, making appointments for customers (“johns”) with their prostitutes (“girls”), and communicating with their drivers and with each other.  MARTINEZ concealed his prostitution businesses by calling them “escort services,” which were then advertised in area newspapers and telephone book yellow pages under the names Fantasy Entertainment Services, Fantasy Companions, Fantasy Playmates, and Connecticut Playmates.  When calls were received from johns, MARTINEZ instructed the johns to go to a specific motel room wherein the girls were to meet them for an “in-call” or instructed the drivers to take the girls to the johns’ chosen location for an “out-call.”  The girls would then engage in sexual acts with johns in exchange for money, normally charging between $125 and $300.  This payment was either charged on a credit card or paid in cash.

MARTINEZ also operated a licensed bail bond company called Liberty Bail Bonds of Connecticut, LLC.  On various occasions, girls who worked for him as prostitutes were permitted to pay off their bond or another’s bond, with the proceeds derived from working for him as a prostitute.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the Hartford Police Department and the Windsor Police Department.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James G. Genco and Andrew J. Kline of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov