Isaacs Could Face Obscenity Trial as Early as October

LOS ANGELES — The federal obscenity case against Ira Isaacs is moving forward.

U.S. District Judge George King has calendared an Aug. 2 trial setting and status conference for Isaacs, who faces multiple obscenity-related counts in connection with movies his company distributed through the mail.

King has ordered Isaacs and his attorney, Roger Jon Diamond, to appear at the pretrial proceeding in his chambers.

Diamond told XBIZ that trial in the case could begin in 70 days after the August proceeding, or as early as October.

Isaacs, who owns Stolen Cars Films and LA Media, was targeted by federal prosecutors over the distribution of “Gang Bang Horse — ‘Pony Sex Game,’” “Mako’s First Time Scat,” “Hollywood Scat Amateurs No. 7” and “BAE 20.”

Diamond earlier this year asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review Isaacs' case. The Justice Department's Obscenity Prosecution Task Force attorneys agreed at the time to waive pretrial proceedings relative to his retrial while the highest court in the country decides whether to take up the case.

Isaacs' obscenity case was put on hold last year after federal Judge Alex Kozinski recused himself after it was revealed that he used a website to distribute sexually explicit photos and videos.

Diamond contended that Isaacs, who is free on bond, shouldn’t be retried because there was no manifest necessity for the declaration of the mistrial, which was declared without Isaacs' consent, and that it would amount to double jeopardy, a procedural defense that forbids a defendant from being tried twice for the same crime on the same set of facts.

“My argument has been that Kozinski prematurely called a mistrial, when they could have put in a new judge midway through the proceedings,” Diamond told XBIZ earlier this year.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decided Kozinski’s recusal was proper and that Kozinski exercised “sound discretion” in declaring a mistrial because of “extraordinary circumstances.”

"Ira had the right to have his trial concluded," Diamond said. "He has a right not to stand trial a second time."

But the U.S. Supreme Court hasn't taken up the case.

On Friday, Diamond said that he is confident that Isaacs would be found not guilty when the case goes to trial again. Diamond estimated it would take one week to complete the case in federal court.

"I think we have a very good position, and I think Ira will do a good job on the stand," he said.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 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

Nebraska Legislature Passes Republican's Age Verification Bill With No Votes Against It

Nebraska’s unicameral legislature has passed the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still have antitrust claims that they may pursue in the future.

Skylar Snow Headlines 'Infidelity 4' From Sweet Sinner

Skylar Snow toplines "Infidelity 4," the latest release from Mile High Media studio brand Sweet Sinner.

Serenity Cox Stars in 'Enjoy It' From MILFY

Serenity Cox stars with Alberto Blanco in "Enjoy It," from Vixen Media Group studio imprint MILFY.

Melissa Stratton Stars in Finale of Wicked's 'So Extra'

Melissa Stratton and Robby Apples star in the final scene from Wicked Pictures' "So Extra."

BiPhoria Drops Jim Powers' 'Saying GoodBi'

BiPhoria has released director Jim Powers' "Saying GoodBi."

FSC, Co-Plaintiffs to Ask US Supreme Court to Review Constitutionality of Texas Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) and its co-plaintiffs in the challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law have filed a petition before the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit asking to stay its recent upholding the law because they intend to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to review the law’s constitutionality.

Jade Venus, Kasey Kei Star in 'Trans Rave' From GenderX

Jade Venus and Kasey Kei star in "Trans Rave" from GenderX, directed by Jim Powers.

FSC Vows to Fight Florida Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) issued a statement vowing to continue fighting Florida’s age verification law, which was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday as part of a comprehensive bill targeting minors’ use of social media.

Kansas Republican Aims to Create New Bureaucracy to 'Investigate' Porn Websites

Republican state legislators succeeded Monday in moving forward Kansas’ version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists, despite serious concerns raised by House Democrats about the cost of establishing a new bureaucracy tasked with investigating websites for pornographic content.

Show More