El Paso Standard

An individual from China, Tian Tao, is facing deportation after being charged with sex trafficking in the United States. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended Tao, 54, following an investigation that involved collaboration between local police and ICE agents. He was taken into custody on February 20 and remains detained pending his removal to China.

Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations New England, commented on the case: “Illicit massage parlors are notoriously difficult to investigate, but collaboration between our special agents and local police allowed us to bring a significant consequence to a person charged with a serious crime in our community. There is no place in New England for people who exploit and traffic vulnerable people. Working together, we prove that actions have consequences – in this case, the consequence is removal from the United States.”

The investigation began when Lincoln County police received information about a potential illicit massage parlor operating locally in 2023. This led to ICE's involvement and subsequent findings allegedly connecting Tao to other similar establishments nearby. Rockland Police acted on this intelligence by obtaining a state warrant which resulted in Tao's arrest for sex trafficking.

Tao initially entered the U.S. legally in 2016 but later violated his admission terms.

The case saw joint efforts from ICE, Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office, and Rockland Police Department.

ICE encourages the public to report crimes or suspicious activities through their hotline at 866-DHS-2-ICE or via their online tip form.