Former Hartford Resident Charged with Child Sex Trafficking and Related Offenses

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Hartford has returned a five-count indictment charging BRUCE DAMICO, 32, formerly residing in Hartford, Connecticut; Providence, Rhode Island; and Queens, New York, with child sex trafficking and related offenses.

The indictment alleges that, between July 2009 and January 2010, DAMICO recruited, harbored, and transported a minor to engage in commercial sex acts, and that he benefitted financially from his participation in that venture. The indictment further alleges that DAMICO transported that minor across state lines for the purpose of her engaging in prostitution, and that he used the Internet to post sexually explicit photographs of the minor when advertising the minor for commercial sex.

The indictment also alleges that DAMICO transported two other women across state lines for the purpose of engaging in prostitution.

The indictment, which was returned on November 9, charges DAMICO with one count of sex trafficking of children, one count of interstate transportation of a minor for prostitution, one count of transportation of child pornography, and two counts of interstate transportation of a person for prostitution.

If convicted of the charges, DAMICO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

DAMICO has been detained in state custody since his arrest by the Bloomfield Police on January 22, 2010.

U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bloomfield Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David E. Novick.

The U.S. Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

To report cases of child exploitation, please visit http://www.cybertipline.com/.