U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery | U.S. Department of Justice
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that William Mayo, 41, of Manchester, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to an offense related to the operation of the Electric Blue strip club in Tolland.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the Electric Blue strip club in Tolland employed dancers who performed nude dances and lap dances for customers. Mayo conspired with others to facilitate prostitution at the club. Mayo was employed at the club as a bouncer and was primarily responsible for hiring dancers, many of whom were not legally authorized to live or work in the United States.
The Electric Blue had a semi-private “lap dance room” and “VIP rooms” where dancers regularly performed commercial sex acts for customers. As payment for commercial sex acts, customers would typically pay the club an entry fee for use of the lap dance room or one of the VIP rooms and then pay an additional fee directly to the dancer. In addition, the club collected cash through cover charges paid at the door and fees paid by dancers to perform at the club. It is alleged that millions of dollars in business receipts collected in cash were not reported to the IRS.
Mayo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to use an interstate facility to promote or facilitate prostitution, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. A sentencing date is not scheduled.
Mayo was arrested on May 15, 2024. He is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection – Liquor Control Division, and the Massachusetts State Police, with assistance from Willimantic Police Department and Manchester Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross Weingarten and Robert S. Dearington.
If any employee or dancer at Electric Blue has been a victim of unlawful acts described in this case, please contact U.S. Attorney’s Office Victim Advocate at usact.vns@usdoj.gov or 203-696-3039.
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