A man was arrested last week in Meriden by local and federal authorities after allegedly telling an undercover investigator who he thought was a minor that he wanted her to get involved in sex trafficking so he could make money.
Gary Taylor, 35, was taken into custody last Thursday by members of the FBI and local police, according to the Meriden Police Department.
Taylor faces charges of criminal attempt at risk of injury involving sexual contact with a victim under 16, criminal attempt of second-degree sexual assault, criminal attempt at commercial sexual abuse of a minor, criminal attempt of first-degree promoting prostitution and criminal attempt at trafficking in persons.
According to police, Meriden authorities and the FBI were working together on a joint investigation when an investigator posed as a 15-year-old girl. During the investigation, Taylor, while speaking to who he believed was a teenager, “expressed interest in trafficking the female in surrounding towns for monetary value,” Meriden police Lt. Darrin McKay said in a statement issued Monday.
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“Taylor then traveled to a specific location in the city of Meriden to meet with who he believed to be the 15-year-old female,” McKay said.
McKay said Meriden officers with the department’s Special Crimes, Crime Suppression and Major Crimes units assisted in Taylor’s apprehension.
Court records show Taylor is being held on $500,000 bond. He did not enter a plea during a hearing last week in Meriden Superior Court, court records show.
“The Meriden Police Department is devoted to fully investigating any allegation of sexual abuse of juvenile or adult victims,” McKay said. “We have a network of partner agencies that can facilitate providing services while also working toward enforcement when appropriate.”