Man Tried To Meet Teen, 15, For Sex Trafficking: Meriden Police

MERIDEN, CT — A man was recently arrested in connection with a joint operation by the Meriden Police Department and the FBI to “enhance the societal safety of children,” according to police.

Gary Taylor, 35, was arrested March 21 following an investigation where police said he was speaking to what he believed was a 15-year-old girl.

“As the investigation persisted, Taylor expressed interest in trafficking the female in surrounding towns for monetary value,” police wrote in a news release. “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.”

Taylor was taken into custody and charged with criminal attempt at risk of injury – sexual contact victim under 16, criminal attempt at second-degree sexual assault, criminal attempt at commercial sex abuse of a minor, criminal attempt at first-degree promoting prostitution, and criminal attempt at trafficking in persons.

The members of the Meriden Police Department’s Special Crimes Unit were assisted by members of the Crime Suppression Unit and the Major Crimes Unit during the apprehension, according to police.

“The Meriden Police Department is devoted to fully investigating any allegation of sexual abuse of juvenile or adult victims,” police wrote. “We have a network of partner agencies that can facilitate providing services while also working towards enforcement when appropriate.”