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The Berlin Turnpike: A True Story of Human Trafficking in America - Revised Edition
This is a true story of human trafficking in America as told through the testimony of a landmark federal trial which took place at the heart of one of the country’s wealthiest states, Connecticut, over the course of eight days in 2007. The trial of United States vs. Dennis Paris provides a rare and detailed account of how a specific type of trafficking ― commercial sexual exploitation ― is thriving because it has left the street corners and entered our homes. This one case contains every element of a crime so reliant on secrecy; shrouded behind a scintillating veil of growing legitimacy. Yet it is buried just below the surface of our culture's mainstream perception.
The myth is that human trafficking of this kind 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 a deceptive mask of false innocence and legitimacy. For the first time we will openly examine this heretofore ignored truth with no agenda or motive other than to expose its stark reality.
This trip to The Berlin Turnpike will take you to the core of how and where these events take place from the perspective of all those involved: the victims, the police, and the perpetrators. Never before has one story so accurately represented the dangerously magnetic commonalities shared by thousands of roadways, neighborhoods, businesses, publications, private homes, and websites.
The Berlin Turnpike: A True Story of Human Trafficking in America, is a compelling expose of the people who live with the realities of commercial sexual exploitation every day.
- The witnesses. Melissa P., Eileen K., Marianne C., Jennifer D., and Kathleen C. Each has their own reason for testifying. And each has something important to hide.
- The Lawyers. Passionate, calculating, and with their careers on the line, the prosecution and the defense try desperately to win over the jury with every possible strategy.
- The defendant. Smart, charismatic, and looking at 30 years in prison. His story will surprise you.
- The girls. Marie, Danita, Kayla, Simone and others are our tour guides down The Berlin Turnpike. They share their raw, honest stories without hype or drama. In their own words, you’ll learn what life is like with a pimp.
- The Road. Like America’s continuing struggle for equality, The Berlin Turnpike has a long, sordid history of heroes and villains. For the first time, their secrets are revealed.
The myth is that human trafficking of this kind 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 a deceptive mask of false innocence and legitimacy. For the first time we will openly examine this heretofore ignored truth with no agenda or motive other than to expose its stark reality.
This trip to The Berlin Turnpike will take you to the core of how and where these events take place from the perspective of all those involved: the victims, the police, and the perpetrators. Never before has one story so accurately represented the dangerously magnetic commonalities shared by thousands of roadways, neighborhoods, businesses, publications, private homes, and websites.
The Berlin Turnpike: A True Story of Human Trafficking in America, is a compelling expose of the people who live with the realities of commercial sexual exploitation every day.
- The witnesses. Melissa P., Eileen K., Marianne C., Jennifer D., and Kathleen C. Each has their own reason for testifying. And each has something important to hide.
- The Lawyers. Passionate, calculating, and with their careers on the line, the prosecution and the defense try desperately to win over the jury with every possible strategy.
- The defendant. Smart, charismatic, and looking at 30 years in prison. His story will surprise you.
- The girls. Marie, Danita, Kayla, Simone and others are our tour guides down The Berlin Turnpike. They share their raw, honest stories without hype or drama. In their own words, you’ll learn what life is like with a pimp.
- The Road. Like America’s continuing struggle for equality, The Berlin Turnpike has a long, sordid history of heroes and villains. For the first time, their secrets are revealed.
- GenresNonfiction
525 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2011
25 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 18, 2011
Raymond Bechard has done a monumental job in researching this book, which uses Connecticut's highway as a symbol and microcosm for human trafficking throughout the world. He uses the 2007 trial of Dennis Paris, AKA "Rahmyti" as his core, but covers the history of the road which was paved in the early 20th century and became a haven for fast food and faster women in a matter of a few years.
Bechard uses a structure similar to Larson's in The Devil In The White City, where one aspect of the case will lead to the historical equivalent of a flashback to tell a pertinent--and usually fascinating--story of historical Connecticut. He explains who several famous names in Connecticut really were, including Silas Deane and Prudence Crandall. He also unearths real trivia nuggets about famous people who visited the Berlin Turenpike at one time or another.
The Berlin Turnpike extends from Hartford, CT to Meriden, 12 miles south with virtually no curves. It continues on to New Haven as the Wilbur Cross Parkway, and on to New York State as the Merritt Parkway. After years of investigation and gathering evidence, a task force led by Hartford officer Deborah Scates, brought Paris and several other men to trial for sexually exploiting a series of underaged girls. Bechard shows how a girl becomes a prostitute, why they can't leave the life, and how the law really does little to help them and virtually nothing to save them. It's a chilling book that succeeds because it's told with restraint. Bechard never preaches and he never goes over the top, but his hundreds of notes and statistics prove that we have come a long way over the last century, and most of it downhill.
The case forced the government to rewrite a federal law about underaged trafficking and pointed dozens of fingers, but Bechard shows that fixing the situation will take years, money, and understanding that will come when we stop looking the other way. He also shows that most of the statistics we have about trafficking are questionable at best.
In spite of his dark topic and dark presentation, hope shines through. This is not a pretty book, but if you have children, especially daughters of a certain age, you might want to read this book for a good look at what's beyond the moat.
The formatting and editing of the edition I read were a mess, but apparently corrections are being made even as I write this.
Bechard uses a structure similar to Larson's in The Devil In The White City, where one aspect of the case will lead to the historical equivalent of a flashback to tell a pertinent--and usually fascinating--story of historical Connecticut. He explains who several famous names in Connecticut really were, including Silas Deane and Prudence Crandall. He also unearths real trivia nuggets about famous people who visited the Berlin Turenpike at one time or another.
The Berlin Turnpike extends from Hartford, CT to Meriden, 12 miles south with virtually no curves. It continues on to New Haven as the Wilbur Cross Parkway, and on to New York State as the Merritt Parkway. After years of investigation and gathering evidence, a task force led by Hartford officer Deborah Scates, brought Paris and several other men to trial for sexually exploiting a series of underaged girls. Bechard shows how a girl becomes a prostitute, why they can't leave the life, and how the law really does little to help them and virtually nothing to save them. It's a chilling book that succeeds because it's told with restraint. Bechard never preaches and he never goes over the top, but his hundreds of notes and statistics prove that we have come a long way over the last century, and most of it downhill.
The case forced the government to rewrite a federal law about underaged trafficking and pointed dozens of fingers, but Bechard shows that fixing the situation will take years, money, and understanding that will come when we stop looking the other way. He also shows that most of the statistics we have about trafficking are questionable at best.
In spite of his dark topic and dark presentation, hope shines through. This is not a pretty book, but if you have children, especially daughters of a certain age, you might want to read this book for a good look at what's beyond the moat.
The formatting and editing of the edition I read were a mess, but apparently corrections are being made even as I write this.
December 26, 2013
Wow...I have spent years riding up and down the Berlin Turnpike. Back in the 80s I was racing on Friday and Saturday nights. I knew there were rooms rented by the week on the Pike, but had no idea what really goes on in there...I'll never look at that strip of road in the same way again. A comprehensive look at what goes on in Suburbia.
October 17, 2013
The writing style and organization of the book is choppy but that's not the point of reading this. This is one of the ugly truths about America that people either don't know about or ignore. Eye opening read.
May 14, 2014
A rare and insightful view and perspective on the early days of human trafficking, by a compassionate gentleman who actively works to help prevent it.
March 3, 2024
Raymond Bechard did a phenomenal job making this book. sad fact is melissa( one of the girls that were taken and trafficked) was my aunt and i knew her best friend aswell. so scary to know this happens so much closer than you know. i grew up hearing about this case never knowing it had more of an affect for my family until this year my 17th birthday i got told almost all details about the horrifying case and i was able to get the book and read it for the first time. the way this has changed my aunts life is heart breaking. i hope everyone who has been in situations like this find proper ways to cope and heal from the trauma of something that life threatening.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews