Stephen Cohen Apprehended by Mexican Federal Police

TIJUANA — Stephen Cohen, who dodged a $65 million court judgment by fleeing the U.S., has been arrested by Mexican federal police in Tijuana on an immigration violation and was handed over Thursday to U.S. agents.

Cohen had been on the run since before 2001, when a judge ordered him to pay Gary Kremen for usurping the URL Sex.com. Cohen in 1995 forged a letter to gain control of the Internet address.

The Los Angeles Times in Friday's editions said Cohen was living in a Tijuana mansion for years.

Cohen presented a forged letter to Network Solutions from Kremen's company that said Kremen had been fired and that Cohen should get control of Sex.com. Network Solutions handed over the site.

Cohen, in the meantime, made tens of millions of dollars by selling ads on Sex.com. But later, after his attorneys contended the site was his, a federal judge on the case ordered Cohen arrested for contempt of court but he never resurfaced.

During the years of litigation, he moved his millions overseas and left the country, occasionally calling Kremen to taunt him. Kremen got Sex.com back in late 2000 and the next year was awarded $65 million.

Despite a dismissal of an appeal he filed to a $65 million ruling against him this year, Cohen said in May that he felt he would ultimately clear his name in the long-running Sex.com case.

“I believe this is all going to go back to square one,” Cohen told XBiz, “and if it does, I will prevail.”

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court denied his appeal.

Cohen on Thursday was turned over to agents of the U.S. Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Marshals Service.

He is being held without bail at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown San Diego.

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Playhaus Network Launches Podcast Platform Through PAYSITE

Entertainment website The Playhaus Network is launching its new podcast platform through PAYSITE.

Sportsheets Wins Trademark Infringement Case Against Copycat Website

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has ruled in favor of adult brand Sportsheets in a case against a copycat website using an infringing domain.

Kylie Rocket, Derek Kage Cap AEBN's Top Stars for 3rd Quarter of 2026

AEBN has revealed its most popular performers in straight and gay theaters for the third quarter of 2026.

JustFor.fans Launches Android Version of 'JFF Create' Mobile App

JustFor.fans (JFF) has rolled out an Android-compatible version of its creator management mobile app, JFF Create.

Kink.com Wins Trademark Infringement Case Against Copycat Website

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has ruled in favor of Kink.com in a case against a copycat website using an infringing domain.

On-Chain JAV Distribution Platform 'HandSome' Goes Live With Open Beta

Fukuoka tech firm Fidem has officially rolled out an open beta version of HandSome, a new Japanese Adult Video (JAV) content distribution platform built on blockchain technology.

Arcom Investigates MYM Over SREN Compliance

French media regulator Arcom is investigating creator platform MYM to determine whether the site may have violated age assurance rules and/or other requirements of France’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

England, Wales to Enforce 'Extreme' Content Laws Starting Nov. 6

England and Wales will begin enforcing new laws criminalizing depictions of “non-fatal strangulation,” as well as sexual content in which adults portray underage characters, starting Nov. 6, the U.K. Ministry of Justice announced Friday.

Report: UK Film Classification Board to Monitor 'Extreme' Content Online

The U.K. government has tapped the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) for a pilot program to monitor online pornography for illegal and “extreme” content, as it prepares to enforce new content restrictions, British media outlet Sky News is reporting.

New Federal Report Slams Debanking but Ignores Adult Industry

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) on Wednesday released a report on debanking activities at nine large national banks, but omitted any mention of the adult industry, despite previously identifying it as a sector facing banking discrimination.

Show More