Charges Reduced in L & M Optical West I.D. Theft Case

VALENCIA, Calif. — The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office has decided to reduce felony identity theft charges to misdemeanors for former employees of L & M Optical West who used fake I.D.s and social security numbers to obtain employment at the company.

The plea deal to lessen the charges applies only to those suspects without a prior criminal record. Twenty-two suspects so far have accepted the plea offer out of 54 total charged.

According to the suspects’ public defender Christina Behle, they will get 30 days of community service, three years probation, must pay restitution to the victim and would be required to use only their real name and information to obtain employment.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant Feb. 5 at L & M Optical Disc West, one of the adult industry’s busiest replication facilities, and arrested 55 employees that appeared to be using false documents to obtain employment.

Police began their investigation after 19 residents, most of them near the company’s replication facility in Valencia, received overdue tax bills from the IRS on income they didn’t earn.

The ID theft scheme was uncovered after victims received letters from the Social Security Administration stating they earned taxable income at L &M Optical West though the company employed none of the 19 Santa Clarita Valley residents.

The arrests effected more than a quarter of L & M’s approximately 200 employees.

Interestingly, its been speculated that a letter sent by the Mexican Consulate supporting the suspects pressured the L.A. district attorney office to reduce the charges.

L & M accounting manager Rosa Guitierrez, who police allege knew about the large-scale ID theft and tax evasion ring happening right under her nose, pleaded the 5th Amendment more than 20 times during questioning at the preliminary trials.

As a result of these prosecutions bringing the company’s activities in the law enforcement spotlight, L & M Optical West now finds itself under investigation for piracy.

“The investigation is under way and will take several months,” Sgt. Steve Low told The Signal of Santa Clarita Valley.

Related:  

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

Michael Ninn Returns With 'Catherine' Sequel Made Entirely by AI

Veteran filmmaker Michael Ninn, though retired from the adult business for the past 10 years, recently unveiled a new episodic project titled "Catherine II: The Series," which serves as a sequel to his 2005 adult film "Catherine."

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.

Alison Rey Stars in Latest From New Sensations

Alison Rey stars with Isiah Maxwell in the latest release from New Sensations.

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.

Bad Bella Fronts Latest From MYLF

Bad Bella stars with Hayden Wild in the latest release from MYLF.

Abella Danger Opens Up Like Never Before in X3 Magazine

Powerhouse star Abella Danger lights up the latest issue of X3 magazine, the industry’s premier “authenticity first” publication spotlighting the real personalities, passions, and stories behind today’s top creators.

Pure Taboo Debuts Bree Mills Thriller 'Let Me In Too'

Reagan Foxx stars with Shay Sights in the latest thriller from Pure Taboo, titled “Let Me In Too.”

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.

Hookup Hotshot Adds TobyDick.com

Hookup Hotshot (HUHS) has added U.K. paysite TobyDick.com to its network.

Show More