Santa Rosa Man Arrested on Multiple Felony Charges Involving Solicitation of a Minor

In mid-November 2025, detectives with Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Team (DVSA) received information that Michael Tarvid, a 63-year-old resident of Santa Rosa, was soliciting women for commercial sex acts and human trafficking. Based on the information detectives received, there was a concern some of the women Tarvid was targeting might be minors.  

During their preliminary investigation, detectives learned Tarvid was posing as a talent recruiter for an adult film company. Tarvid would communicate with women using an email account with a fake business name and send women pornographic videos he claimed to have produced. He then would convince women to engage in sexual acts, which he filmed on his phone, by telling them they were “audition videos” for future film productions and commercial sex acts with “clients.” 

As their investigation continued, a detective posing as a 14-year-old girl began communicating electronically with Tarvid. Throughout the course of their communications, detectives determined Tarvid believed the sender of the messages was in fact a juvenile female. During those communications, Tarvid referred to himself as “talent acquisition” for an adult film company and solicited the “minor” to film an audition video that would then be given to clients wishing to engage in commercial sex with her. Tarvid then made plans to meet with the juvenile on the morning of December 2, 2025. 

At approximately 9:00 a.m. on December 2, Tarvid took a taxi from his residence in the 4700 block of Venti Lane in Santa Rosa to presumably meet the 14-year-old girl at the SMART station in Downtown Santa Rosa. When he arrived, he was immediately detained by detectives. A search warrant was later executed at Tarvid’s residence. His cellphone was seized as evidence and will be analyzed pursuant to another search warrant.  

Tarvid was arrested and booked in Sonoma County Jail for following offenses: 

288.2(a) PC  – Sending harmful matter to seduce a minor 

288.3(a) PC – Communicating with a minor with intent to commit a felony 

288.4(a)(1) PC – Arranging to meet with a minor with intent to engage in sexual acts 

288.4(b) PC  – Arriving for meeting with a minor with intent to engage in sexual acts 

236.1(c) PC – Persuading a minor to engage in commercial sex acts 

We believe there may be more women that may have been victimized by Tarvid and are asking anyone with information about this case or unreported cases to please contact Detective Luigi Valencia at 707-543-4045 or lvalencia@srcity.org. 

This case highlights the importance of internet and messaging safety. Parents and guardians should monitor online and phone activity, discuss the dangers of interacting with strangers, and report suspicious behavior immediately. Predators often use social media, gaming platforms, and messaging apps to target minors. Awareness and communication are key to prevention. 

If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Verity, Sonoma County’s only rape crisis, trauma, and healing center has a 24-hour crisis line that can be reached at 707-545-7270. Additionally, the Family Justice Center Sonoma County offers comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Visit www.fjcsc.org or call 707-565-8250 for more information.  

The Santa Rosa Police Department remains committed to protecting children and supporting victims of human trafficking and sexual violence.  

Santa Rosa Police Department case number 25-12356. 

Media inquiries can be made to Sgt. Patricia Seffens at 707-543-3634 or pseffens@srcity.org.