Owner of illegal massage parlor that engaged in sex trafficking sentenced to over 33 years in prison

The owner of an illegal massage parlor that engaged in sexual trafficking has been sentenced to over 33 years in prison after being found guilty in federal court in February 2019.

According to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 46-year-old Omar Kashaka Taylor, but is known as "Shaka" was sentenced to 400 months in prison for sex trafficking two victims, including one minor victim. Taylor was convicted in February of 2019 by a federal jury.

"Omar Taylor is a coercive sex trafficker who pursued and exploited vulnerable victims for his own financial profit," United States Attorney Erica MacDonald said in a statement. "The 400-month sentence handed down today is appropriate in light of the trauma Mr. Taylor inflicted upon his victims."

Owner of illegal massage parlor found guilty of sex trafficking

"Today’s sentencing will hopefully close a painful chapter in the lives of the survivors of Mr. Taylor’s heinous actions," said Tracy J. Cormier, HSI St. Paul special agent in charge. "We’re confident that this significant sentencing will empower others, who are facing similar circumstances to come forward, knowing that they will be fully supported and that their captors will face justice."

According to the release, from August 2017 through March 2018, Taylor, a registered sex offender, operated an illegal massage business out of his Minneapolis residence. He recruited several young women and girls to work in his illicit massage business and made them perform commercial sex acts in exchange for money for his own financial benefit.

Taylor used backpage.com to solicit prospective clients by posting advertisements with photos of the victims, offering massage services that would include sex acts.