Texas Convicts Porn Couple

FORT WORTH, Texas – In the first federal obscenity case in Texas in more than ten years involving adult pornography, a jury convicted a couple today for selling graphic rape and torture videos from their website.

The defendants in the case, former police officer Garry Ragsdale and his wife Tamara Ragsdale, were charged on all counts, which included one count of conspiracy to mail obscene material and two counts of mailing obscene material, the Star-Telegram reported.

Officer Ragsdale had been with the Dallas police force for nearly eight years and was fired from his job in 1998 for "conduct unbecoming to an officer" when the website was first discovered by investigators.

The couple could face up to 20 years in prison and will be sentenced on Jan. 23 by U.S. District Judge Sidney Fitzwater. The Ragsdales operated their online video company through a contact in Canada, although authorities have not yet apprehended the third suspect.

The defense attorney in the case argued that the Ragsdale video tapes were not nearly as hardcore as a lot of adult material currently found online, and that the couple should be shielded by the First Amendment because they were merely providing material to consenting adults.

The attorney also brought in a sex expert to testify that adult movies are not nearly as damaging as some of the violent content being distributed by Hollywood movie studios.

The main crux of the defense's case rested on the 1973 case Miller v. California, in which the U.S. Supreme Court outlined definitions pertaining to adult "obscenity."

Those definitions, which deem certain material obscene and unlawful, rest on whether the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; whether the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by applicable state law; and whether the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.

But the attorney failed to convince the jury of his clients innocence.

"We are disappointed in the verdict," the attorney told the Star-Telegram. "There is other material out there that is far worse, and two of the tapes shown to the jury are currently sold on other websites."

The investigation into the Ragsdales' Internet business began five years ago, authorities reported, and the couple was indicted in June of this year.

The first lead in the case came when a German computer user sent a complaint to the Dallas Police Department, the Star-Telegram reported.

Texas authorities followed the tip to the Ragsdales' website where they allegedly sold porn tapes for $28 each and brought in significant yearly revenue.

"This case clearly demonstrates that a jury drawn from our community can make a determination that materials containing offensive adult material violate our community standards," said U.S. Attorney Jane Boyle in a prepared statement. "The citizens on the jury clearly rejected the Ragsdales' contention that the materials they sold did not violate community standards."

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

Federal Appeals Court Vacates FTC 'Click to Cancel' Rule Pending Review

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit on Tuesday vacated the Federal Trade Commission’s “click-to-cancel” rule aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel online subscriptions, pending further review.

NYC Adult Stores Lose Challenge to Zoning Law, May Face Relocation

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit on Tuesday upheld a lower court’s decision to allow enforcement of a 2001 zoning law aimed at forcing adult retail stores out of most parts of New York City.

FSC Drops Florida AV Lawsuit in Wake of SCOTUS Decision

A U.S. district court judge granted on Tuesday a motion by Free Speech Coalition to dismiss the trade association’s lawsuit over Florida’s age verification law, a case that had been on hold pending the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the constitutionality of state AV laws.

Ukrainian President Responds to Porn Legalization Petition

President Volodymyr Zelensky responded Tuesday to an OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine, stating that he would wait for the legislative process to play out “in accordance with established procedure.”

Only Tax Deductions Joins Pineapple Support as Sponsor

Adult industry accounting firm Only Tax Deductions has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Adult Empire Launches 'Conversations' Podcast Series

Adult Empire has launched a new official podcast series hosted by Nicole Chappelle and Charlie.

Sex Work CEO Launches 'Teams Plan' for AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Teams Plan for its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

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.

Show More