Gardiner man charged with sex trafficking in connection with Rockland massage parlor - Yahoo

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Feb. 22—A Gardiner man has been charged with sex trafficking as part of an investigation into a Rockland massage parlor, police said.

Tian Tao, 54, was arrested on the charge Thursday, according to a statement the Rockland Police Department posted to social media.

Rockland detectives arrested Tao with the assistance of the Gardiner Police Department and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the statement said.


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The federal homeland security agency was involved as it is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for investigating interstate sex trafficking, Rockland police said in the statement.

Tao was arrested in Gardiner, the city's police chief, Todd Pilsbury, confirmed.

Sex trafficking is a Class D misdemeanor in Maine, although it can be elevated to a Class C felony if someone has prior convictions for certain sex trafficking or prostitution-related crimes.

After being released from custody in Kennebec County on personal recognizance bail, federal authorities took Tao to the Cumberland County Jail in Portland, according to the Midcoast Villager.


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Online jail booking records indicate someone with that name was being held as of Friday afternoon on a federal hold for obstructing justice, with no bail.

Police began investigating a massage parlor called Asian Massage in Rockland after receiving information from another agency in Lincoln County "regarding their investigation into sexual acts that were being done in exchange for money," the Rockland Police Department said in a Jan. 27 statement. The parlor had moved from Waldoboro, in Lincoln County, to Rockland.

"During this time, Rockland Police found suspected ties between the establishment and organized crime and human trafficking out of New York," the statement said.

"Rockland Detectives continued their investigation, coordinating with our federal law enforcement partners, including members of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This investigation included both physical and electronic surveillance, interviews with patrons and a search warrant for discarded materials."


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Tao is believed to be the owner of Asian Massage, according to the Midcoast Villager news report, which cited a police affidavit filed in court.

The affidavit says Tao also operated Asian Massage businesses in Randolph and Fairfield, the Midcoast Villager reported.

In December, Rockland police executed a search warrant at Asian Massage in Rockland. That business has since closed, but other similar operations are suspected to still be operating around Maine, according to police.

The Rockland police investigation has led to 11 people being charged with engaging a person for prostitution. The offense is generally a Class E misdemeanor.

Rockland police Chief Tim Carroll did not return an email seeking further information Friday.

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