Home > News > Legal News > MoviesByMail.com Operators Get 1-Year Sentences • Bookmark   • Newsletters   • Register Search Options

NEWS STORY

MoviesByMail.com Operators Get 1-Year Sentences

MoviesByMail.com Operators Get 1-Year Sentences
Get XBIZ News
XBIZ Research
What will drive VR headset adoption among consumers?
Adult Entertainment
  36.99%
Hollywood Movies
  4.11%
Gambling / Gaming
  5.02%
Video Games
  53.88%
Out of 219 votes. Results based on votes submitted by members of XBIZ.net social network.
Nov 19, 2009 1:45 PM PST    Text size: 
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The operators of MoviesByMail.com were sentenced Thursday to one year and one day each in prison after they both pleaded guilty to one count of distributing obscene material.

Cousins Sami Harb and Michael Harb also agreed to forfeit assets and face three years probation after release. As part of the plea, other charges from the 2003 federal indictment were dropped.

The charges were tied to the mailing of three films — "Max Hardcore: Pure Max 18," Max Hardcore: Extreme 12" and Extreme Associates' "Cocktails 5."

All three movies were shipped via the U.S. Postal Service to Utah by the FBI's Obscenity Task Force in Cleveland, where MoviesByMail.com is based.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Karin M. Fojtik, in a statement to the court, said that MoviesByMail case represents “community response to the increasing degradation depicted in adult pornography.”

“The adult pornography charged in this case went so far beyond any sense of community values, it warranted criminal prosecution,” she said. “While the defense has made much of this matter being brought in Utah, these images represent conduct that is beyond human dignity in any community in this country.”

Diane Duke, executive director of the Free Speech Coalition, challenged Fojtik's comments, claiming that the appetite for porn in Utah is insatiable.

"When MoviesByMail operators were indicted [in 2003], Utah was ranked the No. 1 state in the U.S. for downloading adult content,” Duke told XBIZ. “Clearly, there exists demand for adult content in Utah.

"Yet, Assistant U.S. Attorney Karin M. Fojtik feels comfortable in speaking for all communities. No one is forced to watch adult content. The only victims here are the producers or distributors whose lives have been torn apart by an overzealous and oppressive Bush Department of Justice.”

Duke noted that the adult entertainment industry should always keep in mind those individuals who have faced obscenity battles.

“Please keep those who have suffered under this oppression — the Harbs, Rob Black, Lizzie Borden, Max Hardcore and John Stagliano in your heart and minds," Duke said. "We cannot forget that they have fought and are fighting for all of us and they deserve our ongoing support."

The Harbs did not play a role in producing the films, but the judge said they failed in their responsibility to ensure those with obscene content were not distributed.

They will serve time in a minimum-security facility in Cleveland.

More ways to get XBIZ News:  RSS Feeds  |  E-Newsletters  |  Desktop Widget  |  Mobile
Looking for porn star news and behind-the-scene videos? Check out XFANZ.com !

OPINIONS & VIEWS

Another Attempt to Blame Pornography

And round and round the censorship wheel goes. Utah state Sen. Todd Weiler is just the latest to try and shape the marketplace of ideas to his own superstitious views of morality. Weiler proposed... More »

Will Adobe Animate CC Catch On in a Big Way?

Anyone who knows me can tell you I’m not one for flashy things. I do appreciate them, however, and was reminded of my affinity for flashy things as I made small talk with Alec Helmy in the valet... More »

Changes in Social Media and What You Need to Know

February was a big month for updates on social networks. Twitter updated their algorithm and is talking about expanding to 10,000 characters. Twitter added gif search. Facebook added “reactions”... More »
XBIZ NEWSLETTERS
Stay informed of the latest industry developments. Get XBIZ newsletters delivered to your inbox. Subscribe today!
Enter email address:

* To manage existing subscriptions click here.






POPULAR PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Submit your press release to
multiple news outlets with 1 click.
Subscribe to RSS news feeds or
add free content to your website.
Access XBIZ news and articles
with your mobile device.
Access the latest issues of the industry's leading trade publications in digital form. View online or download for offline viewing.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sexpo

May 12 - May 15
Sydney, Australia

Adultcon Los Angeles

May 14 - May 15
Los Angeles, California

Eurowebtainment

May 25 - May 28
Majorca, Spain

XBIZ Miami 2016

May 31 - Jun 03
Miami, Florida
Everyday thousands of business professionals browse XBIZ's industry directory for quality products and services. Not listed yet? Your company could be losing potential new business. Submit your company today!
Use XBIZ RSS feeds to stay informed of the latest industry developments or as a content syndication tool for your website!