Man Posing As Adult Film Talent Scout To Lure 'Teen' Charged: Santa Rosa Police

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Police arrested a local man suspected of posing as an adult film talent scout to lure a teen into having sex with him and other men.

Police said Michael Tarvid, a 63-year-old resident of Santa Rosa was charged with sending harmful matter to seduce a minor, communicating with a minor with intent to commit a felony, arranging to meet with a minor with intent to engage in sexual acts, and persuading a minor to engage in commercial sex acts, according to a news release by Santa Rosa Police Department.

Tarvid is supsected of posing as a talent recruiter for an adult film company, police said. He would communicate with women using an email account with a fake business name and send women pornographic videos he claimed to have produced, according to police. He then would convince women to engage in sexual acts, which police said he filmed on his phone, by telling the women they were “audition videos” for future film productions and commercial sex acts with “clients.”

A detective posing as a 14-year-old girl began communicating electronically with Tarvid. Police said Tarvid believed the sender of the messages was a juvenile female. Tarvid referred to himself in messages as “talent acquisition” for an adult film company and solicited the “minor” to film an audition video that would then be given to clients wishing to engage in commercial sex with her. Tarvid then made plans to meet with the girl Tuesday morning, according to police.

On Tuesday, Tarvid took a taxi from his residence in the 4700 block of Venti Lane in Santa Rosa to the SMART station in Downtown Santa Rosa where the detective had arranged a meeting. Detectives arrested Tarvid when he arrived. A search warrant was later executed at his home. Police are examining his cell phone.

Anyone with information about the case or unreported cases should contact Detective Luigi Valencia at 707-543-4045 or lvalencia@srcity.org.

Verity, Sonoma County’s only rape crisis, trauma, and healing center has a 24-hour crisis line that can be reached at 707-545-7270. Additionally, the Family Justice Center Sonoma County offers comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Visit www.fjcsc.org or call 707-565-8250 for more information.