Hartford’s Blaze Charged with Sex Trafficking Minors

HARTFORD, CT – A federal indictment has landed Hartford’s TONEY KELSEY, alias ‘Blaze,’ in hot water, charging him with sex trafficking of three minors. According to Deirdre M. Daly, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, KELSEY is accused of trafficking one minor in May and June 2015, a second in May 2016, and a third in November 2016.

The indictment also alleges that KELSEY conspired to traffic these individuals and others, with each charge carrying a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life. Daly emphasized that an indictment is not evidence of guilt, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

KELSEY has been detained since his arrest by the Wethersfield Police Department on related state charges in November 2016. His case has been assigned to Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven.

The investigation into KELSEY’s alleged crimes is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, Wethersfield Police Department, and Hartford Police Department, through the Connecticut Human Trafficking Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarala V. Nagala is leading the prosecution.

As the gritty streets of Hartford bear witness to this disturbing case, the community waits with bated breath for justice to be served. KELSEY’s fate now rests in the hands of the court, where he faces a battle that could alter his life forever.