Man convicted in Maine Zumba scandal charged in Midcoast prostitution bust - WGME

[mnews]

ROCKLAND, Maine (WGME) -- A Maine man convicted of helping to run a prostitution business out of a Zumba dance studio in Kennebunk more than a decade ago was charged following a prostitution bust on the Midcoast, according to the Bangor Daily News.

Police say 69-year-old Mark Strong Sr. of Thomaston was one of 11 men charged for allegedly engaging a person for prostitution at a massage parlor in Rockland.

Rockland police say they raided Asian Massage in Rockland in December 2024 based on suspected sex trafficking. The business had previously been located in Waldoboro.

Police say they found suspected ties between the establishment and organized crime and human trafficking out of New York.

The other men charged for criminal engaging a person for prostitution are:

• Richard Generazio, 64, of Owls Head
• Christopher Mitchell, 41, of Lincolnville
• Christopher Felicetti, 62, of Washington
• Bruce Liljegren, 78, of Thomaston
• Randy Bouchard, 62, of South Thomaston
• Michael Graves, 65, of Rockport
• William Heiden, 39, of Rockland
• Joseph Cady, 50, of Palermo
• Neal Shepard, 71, of Cushing
• Stanley Carlton, 65, of Owls Head

Police say the investigation is ongoing.

In 2013, Strong served 20 days in jail after being convicted for helping fitness instructor Alexis Wright run a prostitution business out of her Kennebunk Zumba studio.