5 Massachusetts, Connecticut men accused of agreeing to pay for sex with a child

Several men from Massachusetts and Connecticut are facing some disturbing charges.

According to State Police, on Friday, the Connecticut State Police – Bureau of Special Investigations, New Britain Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and numerous Connecticut Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Affiliates conducted an undercover operation at a hotel in New Britain.

An advertisement for adult services was posted on popular classified websites. Undercover detectives posed as an adult with access to an underaged child. Throughout the operation, suspects negotiated a price for sex with the child in online chats. Suspects subsequently traveled to the hotel and were placed under arrest.

As a result of the operation, the following five individuals were arrested on scene, without
incident:

• Jermiyah Rascoe (DOB: 03/08/2001) of New Britain
• Jorge Arroyo (DOB: 09/04/1976) of New Britain
• Raul Echavez-Castro (DOB: 01/03/1998) of Waterbury
• Bruno Medina Mendoza (DOB: 05/06/1998) of Springfield, MA
• Jorge Escobar Quispe (DOB: 02/06/1996) of Springfield, MA

All five individuals were charged with Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor (CGS 53a-83b(b)), Criminal Attempt to Commit Sexual Contact with a Victim Under the Age of 16 (CGS 53a-49 / 53-21(a)(2)) and Sexual Assault in the Second Degree (CGS 53a-71).

In addition to the Connecticut State Police – Bureau of Investigations, the following Connecticut State Police units assisted in this investigation and arrest operation:

• Connecticut State Police – Emergency Services Unit
• Connecticut State Police – Troop H

The Connecticut State Police also extended their gratitude to all the partner agencies who assisted in this investigation and arrest operation:

• New Britain Police Department
• Homeland Security Investigations
• All participating Connecticut ICAC Task Force Affiliate Agencies