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

Sam Bird Acquires Fanblast

Sam Bird, former co-director of global talent agency Surge, has acquired creator monetization tool Fanblast and named himself CEO.

'SheHerGirls' Launches Through Paysite.com

The braintrust behind PoleVixens has officially launched a new membership site, SheHerGirls, also through Paysite.com.

FTC Invites Public Comment on 'Click to Cancel' Rulemaking

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced this week that it is seeking public comment on whether it should amend its Negative Option Rule to better address deceptive or unfair practices.

'PSMTickling' Launches Through Paysite.com

PSMTickling.com has officially launched through Paysite.com.

JuicyAds Marks 20-Year Anniversary

JuicyAds is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for January, February

AEBN has published the top search terms for January and February from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

2026 TEAs Shine Bright in Celebration and Solidarity

The industry’s trans adult performers, creators and creatives came together Sunday night at the historic Avalon nightclub in Hollywood for an evening of well-deserved celebration: the 2026 Trans Erotica Awards.

Kansas Plaintiff Drops Chaturbate AV Suit, Revamps SuperPorn Complaint

The plaintiff in a lawsuit alleging that cam platform Chaturbate violated Kansas’ age verification law has voluntarily dismissed that action, while retooling a similar complaint against adult site SuperPorn.

New Creator Networking Platform 'CollabGPS' Launches

CollabGPS, a new creator networking platform designed to facilitate safe collaboration, has officially launched.

Show More