Ray Guhn Productions Principles Arrested In Florida

[txl]

http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/...606250325/1006

Porn site shot locally
Pair's multimillion-dollar operation used homes, hotels


Polyana da Costa
@PensacolaNewsJournal.com

Two principals in a multimillion-dollar Internet pornography business have been arrested, culminating an investigation into an operation involving hundreds of films featuring up to 100 local men and women, authorities announced Saturday.

Escambia County Sheriff Ron McNesby and State Attorney Bill Eddins said the men are believed to be at the heart of the operation that revolved around a Web site with as many as 5,000 registered subscribers who, for $30 a month, can view pornographic films featuring group sex.

The films were made at four houses in Pensacola, a house in Pace and at five hotels in Escambia County, Assistant State Attorney Russ Edgar said. Other settings included Interstate 10 and Interstate 110, wooded areas, vehicles and other public places, he said.

The two men, both arrested Friday, were charged with racketeering -- conducting a criminal enterprise by engaging in prostitution and the manufacture and sale of obscene material.

They were identified as:

· Site owner Clinton Raymond McCowen, 45, also known as Ray Guhn, who resides in the 1900 block of Rue La Fontaine in Navarre.

· Kevin Patrick Stevens, 36, of the 9700 block of Fowler Avenue in Pensacola, who was a producer and Web site technician.

Both were released from jail Saturday after posting bond.

Edgar, who oversaw the monthslong investigation, said he anticipates several more arrests within the next several days. Racketeering carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

McCowen and his associates, who used the name Global Technologies Inc. and did business as Ray Guhn Productions, generated more than $1 million a year in sales to Internet customers, according to an affidavit. They had been operating for about five years, the affidavit says.

McNesby and the prosecutors said they were surprised at the large amount of money involved and the fact that filming took place locally.

"If you had told me in '65 or '66 we would be investigating this, I would never believe that," said McNesby, an officer for 41 years.

The investigation follows an earlier probe that led to the arrest in March of 16 people believed to be principals in 10 Escambia and Santa Rosa escort services that authorities say served as fronts for prostitution.

Edgar said he expects all but three or four of those suspects to plead guilty. The rest will stand trial.

"They are all solid cases," he said.

McNesby said the crackdowns reflect the area's values.

"We want people to know that we don't want this kind of activity in our community," he said.

McCowen and his associates recruited and paid local men and women to engage in obscene group sexual activity, the affidavit states.

The site principals also hired people to engage in "private parties" in which the principals were involved, the affidavit says.

Some actors and models were paid up to $1,000, according to the affidavit. People in supporting roles were paid about $300 or $400.

Some filming recently was moved to Canada because people engaged in the operation regarded the local area as "the frickin' Bible Belt," the affidavit states.

During the investigation, an undercover officer posed as someone interested in performing. At one point, the officer was told the group had been filming in the area for about five years and had engaged more than 100 women in the area, according to the affidavit.

The undercover officer also was told to recruit friends who might be interested.

On Friday, investigators also seized guns, drugs, business records and computers. Officers with the Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement also participated.

McNesby and Eddins said the investigation was prompted by local residents who complained about the local advertising of the films and the recruiting of local models and actors for the films.

[TheSenator]

What is their URL?

[txl]

www.cumonherface.com

[tony286]

what type of local advertising did they do?

[ready lube]

Interesting...

[ready lube]

Interesting...

[ready lube]

WTF!!! I don't know why it posted so many times?

[Tdog]

Originally Posted by ready lube

WTF!!! I don't know why it posted so many times?

sig whore

[Pornwolf]

I don't see what the crime is here. They were all consenting adults right?

[Niko Bimini]

So forgive my ignorance here..................is it illegal to shoot hardcore in that FLA county and thats why they are calling it prostitution?

Anyone from that neck of the woods that can comment on it?

[Brujah]

Y'all keep that proneography down in Tampa or Miami.. we ain't wantin that up here now.

It's estimated pornography generated $57 billion worldwide in 2004, the latest figures available. That includes $12 billion in the United States.

Here is a breakdown:

Adult videos $20 billion

Escort services $11 billion

Sex clubs $5 billion

Phone Sex $4.5 billion

Cable/PPV $2.5 billion

Internet $2.5 billion

CD-Rom $1.5 billion

Novelties $1 billion

Other $1.5 billion

Porn revenue is larger than combined revenues of all professional football, baseball and basketball franchises.

U.S. porn revenue exceeds the combined revenues of ABC, CBS and NBC ($6.2 billion).

Child pornography generates $3 billion annually.

Source: www.familysafemedia.com,April 11, 2004, article

[tony286]

racketeering? they just ran a website right? if im correct the only legal place to shoot adult is la.we all dont follow that but i read it somewhere

[ready lube]

I think FL has always been tring to get the so called "bad element" out of the area...I remember the story about Jim Morrison being arrested there for "lewd and mischievous acts" back in '68 or so for making it look like he was getting head on stage, pretty tame compared to todays standards!

[tony286]

Originally Posted by ready lube

I think FL has always been tring to get the so called "bad element" out of the area...I remember the story about Jim Morrison being arrested there for "lewd and mischievous acts" back in '68 or so for making it look like he was getting head on stage, pretty tame compared to todays standards!

I think its in areas, miami is like porn valley south and tampa has a strip club or adult toy store it seems on every other corner.

[Shoehorn!]

Whoa shit.

[ready lube]

Originally Posted by tony404

I think its in areas, miami is like porn valley south and tampa has a strip club or adult toy store it seems on every other corner.

Oh, I didn't know that. When is election time? Maybe this is about getting the vote from the bible belt crowd as it was put in the article.

[Mr.Right - Banned For Life]

Wow, that is huge. Thier sites were very popular.

You would think with the kind of money they were making that they would have checked the laws regarding what they can and cant do.

Their sites are still live www.cashtitans.com

[JD]

oh fuck...

[Pete-KT]

wow thats fucked up shit

[marketsmart]

Originally Posted by Batts

Wow, that is huge. Thier sites were very popular.

You would think with the kind of money they were making that they would have checked the laws regarding what they can and cant do.

Their sites are still live www.cashtitans.com

i thought that claifornia was the only place you can shoot porn in the US. i know a lot of people violate that law.

the raketeering charge is a joke. if they have good legal, that will get thrown out. but as far as the other stuff, i think they are in some trouble..

[EdgeXXX]

Originally Posted by tony404

racketeering? they just ran a website right? if im correct the only legal place to shoot adult is la.we all dont follow that but i read it somewhere

Technically it could be considered racketeering because it could be considered an "organized" crime; but IMHO the Prosecution is going to have a hell of a time trying to make that one stick. As far as where porn is legal to shoot, it is all based solely on the perceived standards of the local community (in other words, the type of content that is considered legal and illegal is determined by locale).

[GatorB]

So if a couple shoots a homemade porno in thier home in Pensacola they comiited a crime?

I've been there, it stinks. I mean it smells really really bad. Good thing I was there for less than 24 hours.

[EdgeXXX]

Originally Posted by Batts

You would think with the kind of money they were making that they would have checked the laws regarding what they can and cant do.

Yeah, it sometimes amazes me that some of the "successful" people in this industry don't bother to take precautions or check the laws in their community.

[Cyndalie]

On Friday, investigators also seized guns, drugs, business records and computers. Officers with the Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement also participated.

guns and drugs never help a 'racketeering' charge
especially where porn is involved
the obscenity materials charge is just insulting to all the 'marital aids' in the world

[billywatson]

holy fucking shit this is huge. BIG.

[Webby]

Originally Posted by Pornwolf

I don't see what the crime is here. They were all consenting adults right?

Wondering the same thing.. If there is nothing else, there is prob some zoning law or "community standard" to be dusted down and used.

[mikesouth]

Ok theres more on mikesouth.com but in a nutshell

The only place in the US where it is LEGAL to shoot Porn iS Los Angeles. If you are shooting anywhere else you are in a grey area.

The racketeering charge is normal...the state is doing that so that they can immediately freeze his assets without due process. Obscenity is a RICO predicate.

If you are paying travel expenses for models you are REALLY flirting with disaster because thats a FEDERAL law and the feds WILL use it
It's called "The Mann Act" it's a basic white slavery law but the wording is that it's a federal crime to "transport a person across state lines for an immoral purpose" both prostitution and porn have held up in federal court as immoral purposes. So remember that if you are doing that you are playing with fire.

This case will be of extreme importance to us because it will likely decide the legality of shooting porn outside of Los Angeles once and for all.

As for the drugs and weapons, that appears to be media hype, specifically because there was no mention of drugs or weapons charges being brought, only that they siezed them...

[Webby]

Originally Posted by Cyndalie

guns and drugs never help a 'racketeering' charge
especially where porn is involved
the obscenity materials charge is just insulting to all the 'marital aids' in the world

Ah... and out of the woodwork creeps the fuller story

[Webby]

Originally Posted by mikesouth

Ok theres more on mikesouth.com but in a nutshell

Mmmm.. between RICO and Mann alone - that screws up a lot for folks who thought they were "legal". Forgetting "community standards". Interesting stuff Mike.

[JD]

I think it's time to look into canadian citizenship....

[mikesouth]

A state obscenity charge is one thing...a Federal Mann Act Violation is quite aniother...I have been telling people for a LONG time that paying travel expenses is a HUGE no no.

As for Ray..this certainly sounds like election year politicking and I am pretty sure the newspaper made it sound a lot worse than it is, not saying it's good but reading between the lines they wanted you to believe that illegal guns and drugs were a part of the bust but those charges do not appear to have been levelled nor did they mention what the drugs were...which they certainly would have had it been coke, heroin, extasy etc.

Im gonna try to get more on this...and I am sure that some of Rays people will post herethough they probably cant say much except to set the record straight as to exactly what the charges are etc.

This may be one where we all need to help.

[billywatson]

Originally Posted by mikesouth

Ok theres more on mikesouth.com but in a nutshell

The only place in the US where it is LEGAL to shoot Porn iS Los Angeles. If you are shooting anywhere else you are in a grey area.

The racketeering charge is normal...the state is doing that so that they can immediately freeze his assets without due process. Obscenity is a RICO predicate.

If you are paying travel expenses for models you are REALLY flirting with disaster because thats a FEDERAL law and the feds WILL use it
It's called "The Mann Act" it's a basic white slavery law but the wording is that it's a federal crime to "transport a person across state lines for an immoral purpose" both prostitution and porn have held up in federal court as immoral purposes. So remember that if you are doing that you are playing with fire.

This case will be of extreme importance to us because it will likely decide the legality of shooting porn outside of Los Angeles once and for all.

As for the drugs and weapons, that appears to be media hype, specifically because there was no mention of drugs or weapons charges being brought, only that they siezed them...

Read what Mike says here. This is very fucking serious. If you're producing adult content outside of Los Angeles California, you're pandering.

It's that simple.

[Sir Basil]

I've heard that Ray Guhn has worked hard to keep his identity a secret, this blows it for him quite badly.

[tony286]

I dont understand your making all that money why not go to la and shoot content for a month or move permanently out of country. A million dollars a year gives you a ton of options.

[Wildcard2]

Stuff like this makes me shake my head and want to move to Europe. I am sorry whether it be in the US or Canada people have their heads too far up their asses. Are we living 50-60 yrs ago?

I can see if they are filming in the middle of a park or something were everyone can see, than thats a different story. But if you are behind closed doors where is the problem? As for immoral I am glad someone else can tell me what my morals are. God and I thought Priests and little kids was immoral glad the bible belt has other views on that.

To bad that you have responsible adults choosing a way of life or job to do. If someone is setting out fliers or placing an ad and you answer it I can only assume you aren't being forced to call the number or show up to the casting.

In a quote from the main article. "We want people to know that we don't want this kind of activity in our community,"
If this activity is going on in a house and no one knows about does it still "hurt" the community. And I would really like to know how it hurts or effects a community. I would like to know what goes on in the house holds of the people who were quoted saying that.

I could go on and on about this topic....but I am just going to goto bed instead...maybe I will be a little less pissed about it all in morning..

wc2

[Webby]

Originally Posted by billywatson

Read what Mike says here. This is very fucking serious. If you're producing adult content outside of Los Angeles California, you're pandering.

It's that simple.

That was the subject of several "legal chats" at webmaster conferences from 95-97 time.

Remember speaking with lawyers we prob know in the adult field - comments then were, "It's only a matter of time before the govt invoke RICO again" (was used in another noteable California case re video distribution) and, much as Mike said in his post - the most likely time for that is prior to elections.

Mixing this with Mann... assuming they do mix RICO with Mann.. that is not a small matter.

[iwantchixx]

this is retarted, so because they don't "agree" with porn they are labeleling it as raketeering and prostitution?

This is mental.

[Wildcard2]

Originally Posted by SPeRMiNaToR

I think it's time to look into canadian citizenship....

Don't come to Ontario, People here have just as bad stuck up attitude. The best I can say is Quebec (Montreal) or Europe then you get the super sexy girls too

wc2

[iwantchixx]

A person who commits crimes such as extortion, loansharking, bribery, and obstruction of justice in furtherance of illegal business activities.

To carry on illegal business activities that involve crimes.

So porn is illegal?

Is porn extortion, loansharking, bribery, and obstruction of justice??

[mikesouth]

Originally Posted by iwantchixx

this is retarted, so because they don't "agree" with porn they are labeleling it as raketeering and prostitution?

This is mental.

Technically from a legal standpoint this may very well BE prostitution and pandering, thats going to be up to the courts to decide...I expect Ray will lose at the local level and the 11th circuit in Atlanta will decide the case. If that is what happens then the argument will be the precendence set in Los angeles v. freeman in the 9th circuit which is why its legal to shoot porn in L.A.

And if the obscenity charges are correct then racketeering is as well...Thank your tax dollars and your politicians for this shit...

One question...Did you VOTE?

If your answer is no I should tell you to shut the fuck up...but I wont...instead I will tell you to do it this time around.

[Nismo]

Holy fuck this is from my neck of the woods

[Nismo]

After reading the article, I still don't know what they did wrong.

[SmokeyTheBear]

they prob would have avoided the whole scenario if they hadn't filmed in public parks that people recognized.. but i also wonder how bangbros gets to have their videos that are obviously filmed in florida.. and been documented on the news several times..

[Webby]

Originally Posted by iwantchixx

So porn is illegal?

Is porn extortion, loansharking, bribery, and obstruction of justice??

Legal? Depends - obscenity is "illegal", but the decider of that is a jury and it kinda costs some money and a degree of risk to get to that qualified opinion

Know what you mean iwantchixx - basically prosecutors can do whatever they like in formulating charges ("legal" one's). Those may be normal "face value" charges or if they want to be nasty, start on the RICO and Mann type stuff as an example to others or for political gain.

One thing that always gave me the creeps was the concept of "community standards". Link that to the possibility of transmitting a website into another state where is offends "community standards" and, bang.. enter RICO

[Joey B. Lo]

Man this is scary! Seems like Florida is really cracking down on adult sites lately. A good legal team should be able to get this tossed though. Their sites will no longer be produced in the area thats for sure, but the target audience is worldwide and there is more than prurient value to their productions which are well laid out with scripts, storylines etc.. giving them literary, artistic and intelectual aspects in addition to the clearly awesome boat loads of cum they've delivered. Rock on cohf, best of luck! Its time to fight for our right to bukkake!!!

Thanks so much for your input on this Mike! You're the man!!

[mikesouth]

Originally Posted by SmokeyTheBear

they prob would have avoided the whole scenario if they hadn't filmed in public parks that people recognized.. but i also wonder how bangbros gets to have their videos that are obviously filmed in florida.. and been documented on the news several times..

If ray goes down bang brothers will be next...

[tony286]

Originally Posted by SmokeyTheBear

they prob would have avoided the whole scenario if they hadn't filmed in public parks that people recognized.. but i also wonder how bangbros gets to have their videos that are obviously filmed in florida.. and been documented on the news several times..

it probably is bang bros shoot in miami where they dont care and in pensacola they get pissed off.

[mikesouth]

Originally Posted by Joey B. Lo

Thanks so much for your input on this Mike! You're the man!!

just tryin to be helpfull...Im not a sig whore and try to post only when I have something relevant to say.

[Webby]

Originally Posted by mikesouth

just tryin to be helpfull...Im not a sig whore and try to post only when I have something relevant to say.

It's refreshing not to be a sig whore here Mike!

Input much appreciated!!

[mikesouth]

We do all need to keep watching this one, while I'm in no hurry to support Rob Black this is one that if Ray needs help I'd be inclined to give it.

Ray makes WAY WAY more than I do but if he goes down on this one we may all be in jeopardy..I encourage Ray at this point to stand his ground and not plea out.