Man Charged With Commercial Sexual Abuse Of Minor: Meriden Police

MERIDEN, CT — A man has been arrested for a third time in two years in connection with crimes against children, including commercial sexual abuse of a minor, according to police.

The Meriden Special Crimes Unit launched an investigation in 2020 after receiving a human trafficking complaint that consisted multiple juvenile victims, according to police.

Anthony Lazzari was accused of committing commercial sexual abuse of children and possession of child pornography following a multi-year investigation, police said.

Lazzari was arrested in 2021 on charges of criminal attempt at promoting a minor in an obscene performance, commercial sexual abuse of a minor, promoting prostitution, and enticing a minor.

Lazzari was arrested Aug. 7 by the Meriden Police Special Crimes Unit with the assistance of the Middletown Police Department on a charge of possession of child pornography.

Lazzari was apprehended on Aug. 31 by the Meriden Police Special Crimes Unit and Middletown police on South Main Street in Middletown on another arrest warrant. He was charged with commercial sexual abuse of a minor, patronizing prostitution and fourth-degree sexual assault.

Lazzari was being held in lieu of a $350,000 bond with a court date of Sept. 6, according to state judicial records.

Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to call the Meriden Police Special Crimes Unit at 203-630-6294.

“The Meriden Police Department is committed to empowering victims to seek justice,” police wrote in a news release. “Our organization wants to help be your voice in these matters and we understand the emotional and physical wounds that occur in sexually based incidents. Please let us help you if you have been victimized.”