4 Men Charged in Rochester Sex-Trafficking Sting Operation

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A sex-trafficking sting investigation conducted by the Rochester Police Department this week has resulted in felony charges against four men.

Investigation Utilized Fake Online Ads

The criminal complaints indicate police investigators posted online ads featuring a female offering sexual acts or services in exchange for money. The court documents say the ads were posted on websites known to be used by people seeking to purchase sex and instructed them to message a phone number. The ads also listed specific prices and stated that the customer would have to report to a location in Rochester for the transaction.

Undercover "Chatter" Pretended to be Teenage Girl

The sting investigation involved an undercover “chatter” who messaged with the individuals responding to the ads while detectives worked to identify the suspects. In each conversation. The criminal complaints say the four men were told by the undercover “chatter” that she was a teenager under the age of 18. After allegedly agreeing to exchange money for sexual services, the suspects were instructed to come to a meeting place in Rochester, where they were detained by police.

Identities of Men Arrested

The four men charged in the case are:

• 44-year-old Brian Charles Tachmann of Rochester
• 43-year-old Richard Mayweathers of Rochester
• 63-year-old Dondi Ray Hanson of Rochester
• 27-year-old Arun Kumar Manimozhian of St. Paul

Felony Prostitution Charges

All four were arraigned in Olmsted County Court this morning on felony prostitution charges involving hiring or agreeing to hire a person reasonably believed to be under the age of 18 but at least 16 years old. They were all released without bail.