Texas Bill Targeting Violent Sex Websites Shot Down

AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas bill targeting online adult websites that depict violent sex acts was shot down Saturday; however, the legislator who initiated it vows to reintroduce it in January.

House Bill 1074, authored by Texas Rep. Betty Brown, would have made it a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a $10,000 fine, to advertise or distribute violent sex tapes and photos on the Internet. The bill also targeted possession of such videos that would have imposed six-month sentences.

Texas’ broad obscenity laws are currently punishable by a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $500 fine.

"We're trying to keep these horribly, horribly obscene websites out of Texas," Brown said.

The Athens, Texas-based representative said the impetus for HB 1074 came from a sexual assault case in which the person convicted spoke about a website showing violent sex acts.

The legislator cited the case of Patrick Russo, a former youth minister who had a self-confessed passion for necrophilia and later killed a prospective home buyer.

Russo, who posed as a real estate agent, was found by detectives to be a subscriber “to one of the more gruesome of the sites.”

The bill would have made it illegal to depict obscene material constituting murder, capital murder, sexual assault, or aggravated sexual assault.

The legislation aimed at "websites and other forms of medium" depicting violent acts for the purpose of sexual gratification. It also targeted affiliate webmasters who link to the websites.

The bill unanimously passed the Texas House last week but wasn’t heard by the Senate side of the Legislature on Saturday, its last day to hear the bill.

A Brown legislative aide on Monday told XBiz that the representative would reintroduce the bill in the next Legislature term. If the bill passes and goes into law, penalties would ramp up in 2007.

Copyright © 2025 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

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

WannaCollab Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

WannaCollab has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Show More