For the second time in as many months, a Santa Rosa man was arrested and charged this week in relation to soliciting sexual acts, according to authorities.
Michael Tarvid, 63, was charged Wednesday in Sonoma County Superior Court with possession of a controlled substance and pandering, or arranging a place for sex work, with an enhancement for committing a felony while on bail for a separate case, according to court records.
On Dec. 12, Tarvid had been granted pre-trial release for a case in which he was charged Dec. 3 with sending harmful material to seduce a minor, communicating with a minor with intent to commit a felony, and arranging to meet a minor for sex. Some of the conditions of this release included warrantless search and seizure and not having access to an email, smartphone or social media platforms.
On Monday evening, a sex worker informed Santa Rosa police that Tarvid had contacted a commercial sex worker through an online platform, a violation of the conditions of his pre-trial release, Sgt. Patricia Seffens said. Police investigated further and found evidence that Tarvid had solicited a sex worker.
Investigators went to Tarvid’s residence on Venti Lane near Highway 12 about 12:15 p.m. Tuesday and placed him in handcuffs before searching his home. They found a smartphone, which is still being processed as of Thursday, and suspected fentanyl, Seffens said.
Police also spoke with two women at the residence, one of whom they believe is a commercial sex worker who had been promised shelter at Tarvid’s home in exchange for sexual acts. They did not find any evidence that sex acts had occurred. The other woman was arrested on suspicion of possessing narcotics paraphernalia.
Tarvid appeared Thursday morning in Sonoma County Superior Court represented by Deputy Public Defender Karen Thompson and once again requested to be released from custody. Judge Paige Hein denied the ask, saying he had violated “pretty much every” term of his previous release.
Hein set his bail at a total of $140,000 for both cases. As of early Thursday afternoon, he remains in custody, according to jail records.
Tarvid was first arrested Dec. 2 during a sting operation in which police said Tarvid had attempted to meet up with what he believed to be a 14-year-old girl for sex.
The investigation into Tarvid began after police learned he had used an email tied to a fake adult-film business to contact women, authorities said. Detectives said Tarvid had recorded women performing sex acts after convincing them the videos would be used as an “audition” for future film projects or to send to clients seeking commercial sex.
Investigators later received a tip that Tarvid was also attempting to solicit minors for sex acts, police said. An undercover detective then posed as a 14-year-old girl online and communicated with Tarvid electronically, setting up a meeting Dec. 2 to record an “audition” video.
About 9 a.m. Dec. 2, Tarvid took a taxi to the established meeting place at the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit station in downtown Santa Rosa, where detectives detained him. Officers later searched his home and seized his cellphone, authorities said. He was charged in court the next day.
Tarvid previously spoke with The Press Democrat in 2022 and 2023 about being a survivor of clergy sexual abuse. He was identified by name and photographed in those stories.
Santa Rosa police are continuing to investigate and are encouraging anyone with information to contact Detective Luigi Valencia at 707-543-4045 or lvalencia@srcity.org.
You can reach Staff Writer Madison Smalstig at madison.smalstig@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @madi_smals.
How to get help
These local, state and national contacts are available to help with various crises:
• National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 (call or text)
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673 or online.rainn.org
• National Alliance on Mental Illness/Sonoma County, provides support groups and resources for families and individuals affected by mental health challenges: 866-960-6264
• 24-hour Emergency Mental Health Unit: 800-746-8181
• Redwood Empire Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists: recamft.org
Resources also are available for those who have lost someone to suicide:
• Youth Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group for ages 14-24, meets virtually second and fourth Tuesday every month, 4:30-5:30 p.m. by Buckelew Programs and the Felton Institute. Register and get the Zoom link at bit.ly/4atSS6x.
• SOS: Survivors of Suicide bereavement support group for adults 25 and older by Buckelew Programs, meets virtually the second and fourth Wednesday every month, 7-8:30 p.m. For the Zoom link, call/email 415-444-6000 or SOSinfo@Buckelew.org.
• Sutter VNA & Hospice offers several support groups, including those for survivors of suicide, children who have experienced a loss and parents who have lost a child. Call 707-535-5780 for more information.
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