Online reports didn't mention AbbyWinters.com by name, instead only referring to parent company G Media. Police raided five locations early Tuesday morning Australia time. The company is located in the Australian state of Victoria, located in the southeastern section of the continent.
Fiona Patten, CEO of the Australian adult industry advocacy group the Eros Association, released a statement.
"Yesterday morning Victoria Police acted on a warrant to the search the premises of the popular adult web business AbbyWinters.com. The raid was instigated by a tabloid journalist from the Herald Sun. The journalist has written about AbbyWinters.com in the past, trying to encourage authorities to act. Garion Hall, the company's director, said he appreciates the support of Eros, staff, website members, and models, and is hopeful of a successful outcome. No charges have been laid by the police. No hardware was seized, and police were supplied with copies of all information that they requested. The police were polite and amiable. Eros fully supports our long term member and their right to provide NVE [non violent erotica]."
Victorian law forbids businesses to profit from making of adult films. According to online sources, the company makes up to $10 million annually from about 30,000 subscribers who pay about $30 per month.
Also included in the charges is the allegation that AbbyWinters.com was shooting underage girls. According to Australia's Herald-Sun, police have evidence that one Abby Winters model was photographed when she was 17. Although the age of consent in Victoria is 17, local law forbids taking photographs of people under 18 in an "indecent sexual manner."
AbbyWinters.com is also heavily promoted in the U.S. and maintains 2257 records in accordance with American law, where the age of consent is 18.
G Media Director Garion Hall, 34, was also arrested at his home as a part of the operation. He's since been released from holding, but he's looking at a maximum jail sentence of two years.
Police Detective Steven Boskovski said his department would likely make more arrests in connection with the case. All 30 AbbyWinters.com employees may face the same penalty as Hall
"We're still identifying the hierarchy involved," he said. "We're very satisfied with the content we've secured."
Apparently the Australian Herald-Sun itself was a part of the bust. The news outlet provided police with information on Hall and his activities.
