SACO (AP) – A Saco woman’s report of a sexual assault led police to a Skowhegan man they say was running a prostitution ring from his mobile home, using a cellular telephone and the Internet.

Police last week arrested James R. Taylor, 47, on a charge of promoting prostitution after allegedly taking money as payment for a liaison between a man and the woman, who was employed by Taylor’s Escorts and Entertainers service.

Police say the 23-year-old woman, who also worked at a Portland gentlemen’s club, reported on Aug. 15 that she had been sexually assaulted by a man who did not pay her for sexual services. That man cooperated with police, arranging a meeting with Taylor on Monday to pay for services the woman had provided the day before.

“He was paid with marked money; we arrested him,” said Detective Sgt. David A. Loranger of the Saco Police Department. Taylor also was charged with possession of drugs including cocaine, opiates and marijuana.

Police say a three-hour search of Taylor’s mobile home turned up “meticulous” records for his business.

“We have seized a whole host of business records; Mr. Taylor kept meticulous records of all his employees, including signed contracts,” Loranger said. “He also kept detailed records of customers, including pseudonyms and telephone numbers – a fairly accurate client list.”

Police say regular fees for what they call sexual services ranged from $200 to $250. Taylor received 20 percent of the fees for each of those engagements, Loranger said.

At least 13 women were working for Taylor’s escort service, which was being used by clients from Maine, New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts, Loranger said.

AP-ES-08-21-04 1152EDT

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