Manchester Man Pleads Guilty In Tolland Strip Joint Investigation

TOLLAND, CT — A Manchester man who was a bouncer at the Electric Blue Cafe in Tolland has entered a guilty plea in connection with a federal investigation into the operation of the strip club.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, said that William Mayo, 41, of Manchester, entered the plea Monday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven. It was for an offense related to the operation of the Electric Blue, she said.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the "The Blue," as it is known in local circles employed dancers who performed in the nude, along with private and semi-private "lap dances" for customers.

Mayo conspired with others to "facilitate prostitution" at the club in relation to the performances, according to case records.

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, according to case records. In the semi-private "lap dance room" and "VIP rooms," dancers regularly performed "commercial sex acts" for customers, prosecutors said.

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, according to case records. In addition, the club collected cash through cover charges paid at the door and fees paid by dancers to perform at the club, according to case records.

Allegations related to a March 2023 federal raid include millions of dollars in business receipts collected in cash that were not reported to the Internal Revenue Service, according to case records.

Mayo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to use an interstate facility to promote or facilitate prostitution, an offense that carries a maximum prison 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.

On Sunday, state police arrested a dancer at the Electric Blue after a customer was injured in an altercation, according to an incident report.

Prosecutors said that, any employee or dancer at the Electric who Blue believes he or she has been a victim of "unlawful acts described in this case," can contact the U.S. Attorney's Office Victim Advocate at usact.vns@usdoj.gov or 203-696-3039.