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

Pornhub Unblocks UK Users on iOS Devices, Citing Apple AV Effectiveness

Pornhub parent company Aylo on Tuesday announced that users in the United Kingdom will once again be able to access the popular site if they are using Apple devices and have confirmed their age through Apple’s U.K. age-verification process.

North Carolina Weighing Tax on Brick-and-Mortar Sales of Adult Material

The North Carolina state legislature is considering a bill that would impose a new 10% tax on adult material sold by physical retailers in the state.

FSC Launches 'Know Your Rights' 1st Amendment Resource Page

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has launched "Know Your Rights," a resource page detailing First Amendment protest guidelines.

Utah VPN Rule for Adult Sites Takes Effect This Week

A new law in Utah comes into force Wednesday, making adult websites liable if minors in the state circumvent geolocation efforts to bypass age verification.

UPDATED: Court Approves Class Action in Labor Claims Against VMG

A U.S. district court has granted class certification in a civil lawsuit filed against Vixen Media Group (VMG) by retired performer Kenzie Anne, making it possible for additional performers to join in a class action against the company.

Brazil Invites Public Input on Guidelines for New Digital Law

Brazil’s National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) is soliciting public comments to help improve interpretation and application of the country’s Digital Statute for Children and Adolescents (Digital ECA), which requires adult websites to age-verify users located in Brazil.

X3 Expo Unveils Euro All-Stars for Inaugural Amsterdam Edition

X3 Expo, Hollywood's premier adult entertainment expo, makes its European debut at Passenger Terminal Amsterdam Sept. 11-12, bringing together fans, creators, and industry insiders for the Continent’s largest assembly of adult entertainment stars, alongside a dazzling lineup of attractions spotlighting the cutting edge of modern media and pleasure tech.

2026 Pornhub Awards Nominees Announced

The list of nominees has been revealed for the eighth annual Pornhub Awards, presented by gaming platform 1win, which will be held May 27 in Los Angeles.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches by Country for February, March

AEBN has released the list of popular searches from its straight and gay theaters, by country, for February and March.

BranditScan Rolls Out 'UrLinks' Platform Feature

BranditScan has introduced its new UrLinks homepage feature for creators.

Show More