Two volunteer firefighters, Brett Bartolotta, 42, and Frank Meyer, 39, with a West Haven, Conn. fire department, have been charged with aggravated sexual assault and "slave trafficking -- life of prostitution," CNN reported last night.
According to the Vermont State Police Department, the pair forced a 12-year-old boy into a life of sexual slavery that lasted for years. Now in his 20s, the victim claims that the two forced him to participate in sexual acts during his adolescent years.
Court papers state that the young victim was forced into sex acts, including bondage, with the firefighters after the child was unable to pay for a dirt bike he purchased from Bartolotta in 2001.
It was just recently that the victim informed his mother of the sexual abuse. The mother in turn reported her son’s claims to the authorities.
The firefighters were arraigned on Thursday. Brett Bartolotta is currently free on $50,000 bail; and Frank Meyer was released on $100,000 bail.
West Haven Fire Chief James P. O'Brien said that Bartollota hasn’t been active with the department for several years, and that firefighter Frank Meyer “was immediately placed on administrative leave.”
"It's really shocking," O'Brien told CNN Friday. "We're very surprised about the allegations."
Also see:
East Coast Rapist Aaron Thomas sentenced to life in prison
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