Electric Blue Bouncer Admits to Prostitution Conspiracy

NEW HAVEN, CT – William Mayo, 41, of Manchester, has confessed to his role in a sprawling prostitution operation at the Electric Blue strip club in Tolland. The guilty plea, entered before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden today, shines a harsh light on the club’s alleged practices and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced the conviction, a significant step in a federal investigation that’s been brewing for months.

Court documents paint a grim picture of the Electric Blue, detailing how the club allegedly functioned as a hub for commercial sex acts. Dancers performed nude and lap dances for customers, with a dedicated “lap dance room” and “VIP rooms” serving as the primary locations for these encounters. Customers allegedly paid both the club – through entry fees and room charges – and the dancers directly for sexual services. Mayo, employed as a bouncer, wasn’t just enforcing order; he was allegedly a key player in the scheme, primarily responsible for hiring the dancers.

The most disturbing aspect of the case? Many of the dancers Mayo recruited were not legally authorized to live or work in the United States. This exploitation layered immigration violations onto the already heinous crimes of sex trafficking and prostitution. The club allegedly raked in millions of dollars in cash – from cover charges, room fees, and direct payments – and investigators believe none of it was reported to the IRS. The scale of the alleged financial fraud is staggering, suggesting a deliberate and calculated effort to evade taxes.

Mayo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to use an interstate facility to promote or facilitate prostitution, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. While a sentencing date hasn’t been set, the Department of Justice is likely to push for a substantial penalty, given the severity of the crimes and the alleged systematic nature of the operation. He was arrested on May 15, 2024, and remains released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.

The investigation is a multi-agency effort, involving 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 support from the Willimantic and Manchester Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross Weingarten and Robert S. Dearington are prosecuting the case. This wasn’t a simple raid; it was a coordinated takedown of a complex criminal enterprise.

Authorities are urging anyone who believes they were a victim of unlawful acts at the Electric Blue to come forward. The U.S. Attorney’s Office Victim Advocate can be reached at usact.vns@usdoj.gov or 203-696-3039. Press releases in Spanish and Portuguese are also available, reflecting the diverse community potentially impacted by these crimes. This case serves as a stark reminder that the glitter of the nightlife often hides a dark underbelly of exploitation and criminal activity.