Second Conviction in History for Obscene Email

PHOENIX — A Manhattan Beach, Calif. native recently became the second person in U.S. history to be convicted for the transmission of obscene email messages. Kirk Rogers had been accused of masterminding a computer system that sent out several hundred thousand unsolicited emails advertising adult products and websites.

Rogers pleaded guilty to the charges in federal court in Arizona last week, admitting the system he managed had violated the U.S. Can-Spam Act and acknowledging responsibility for more than 600,000 complaints that flooded American Online during the first half of 2004.

Emails sent by Rogers included advertisements for several adult websites, many of which included graphic images embedded in the emails. The images by themselves were enough to pin four counts of felony obscenity charges against Rogers in the case.

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for spam analysis firm Sophos, welcomed the news of Rogers’ conviction.

“Firm action is required by the authorities to send a strong message to spammers that their activities are unacceptable,” Cluley said. “The U.S. computer crime forces should be congratulated for catching someone else who was contributing to the menace of spam email.”

Rogers’ clients, listed as Jennifer Clason, Jeffrey Kilbride and James Schaffer are scheduled for Can-Spam-related trials in May.

As part of his plea, Rogers must forfeit any money earned through his spam operation. Estimates of his earnings were not given, but authorities said he could face up to five years in prison for his actions.

Rogers’ sentencing is scheduled for June 5.

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 Republican's Age Verification Bill Gets 1st Round Approval Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

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.

AEBN Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Adult Entertainment Broadcast Network (AEBN) is celebrating its 25th year in business this week.

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.

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.

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.

SK Intertainment Launches 'Skinfluential Management' Agency, FansFuel Joint Venture

Mr. Skin/Mr. Man parent company SK Intertainment has launched new creator agency Skinfluential Management, as well as a new joint venture with Showbizz Media's creator stats and affiliate marketing platform, FansFuel.

Industry Attorney, Free Speech Champion Clyde DeWitt Passes Away at 75

Noted industry attorney Clyde DeWitt passed away on Friday in Las Vegas at 75, according to friends and colleagues.

APClips Names Avery Jane 'Creator of the Month'

APClips has named Avery Jane its Creator of the Month for March.

JustFor.fans Offers Gumroad Users Platform to Sell NSFW Artwork

JustFor.fans (JFF) is offering Gumroad users a platform to sell NSFW artwork after the latter banned adult content.

Show More