Ira Isaacs Won't Face 2-Level Sentencing Hike

LOS ANGELES — U.S. prosecutors in the Ira Isaacs obscenity case conceded Friday they won't press "vulnerable victim" sentencing adjustments that would have raised the penalty for his obscenity convictions substantially.

Justice Department attorneys two months ago planned to introduce testimony from Veronica Jett and another former adult performer named April that they never would have taken part in several scat films if they had not been high after allegedly being fed drugs by Isaacs at the time of the filming such videos as the  "Hollywood Scat Amateurs" series.

U.S. prosecutors, with the introduction of performer testimony, had attempted to sway a judge to enhance Isaacs' sentencing two levels to seven years and three months by using the theory that "vulnerable victims" were exploited in the commission of federal offenses. Isaacs attorney, Roger Jon Diamond, had asked for a reduction in sentencing.

But U.S. District Judge George King said "drug addiction by itself does not appear sufficient to vitiate consent" and that the government could not prove whether the former porn stars were victims of the offenses or co-participants.

King set forth a "tentative view" that the vulnerable victim sentencing adjustment does not apply in this case because if Jett and April consented to performing in the films, then as consenting adults who helped produce obscene materials, they are better characterized as co-participants in the offenses than as victims, he ruled.

On Friday, Justice Department attorneys responded to the court's "tentative view," saying that "because the government is unable to meet its evidentiary burden to establish that [the performers'] addiction to methamphetamine was a factor that was unusual for individuals who participate in the making of obscene films, the enhancement does not apply in the case at bar."

Federal prosecutors noted in a brief Friday that both Jett and April could have been prosecuted as aiders and abettors for their 2004 participation in “Hollywood Scat Amateurs No. 7,” and  “Hollywood Scat Amateurs No. 10,” with respect to Isaacs' charges of producing and selling obscene matter.

Isaacs was found guilty in April on five counts of violating federal obscenity laws over the distribution of  "Mako’s First Time Scat, " "Hollywood Scat Amateurs #7," "Hollywood Scat Amateurs #10" and "Japanese Doggie 3 Way."

It was the third obscenity trial for the distributor and producer, who all along contended that the works he had been charged with have artistic value and can't be deemed obscene. The first two ended with mistrials.

A court date set for Isaacs's sentencing has not yet been set.

View Justice Department's response over Isaacs sentencing

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

Ember Snow, Teal Conrad Topline 'Lesbian Neighbor Affairs 3'

Ember Snow and Teal Conrad headline “Lesbian Neighbor Affairs 3” from Girlfriends Films.

Chloe Amour Fronts Latest From New Sensations

Chloe Amour stars with Milan Ponjevic in the latest release from New Sensations, titled "He’s in Charge."

Octavia Red Stars in Latest From Deeper

Octavia Red stars with Manuel Ferrera in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint Deeper, titled “She Done Him Wrong.”

Canadian Senator Revives Push for National AV Law

Sen. Julie Miville-Dechêne, whose previous multiple attempts to legislate national age verification requirements all failed, has introduced a new bill that would impose fines of up to $500,000 on adult sites that do not implement age verification for Canadian viewers.

Sarah Arabic, Vicki Chase Topline Dorcel's 'The Next Step'

Sarah Arabic and Vicki Chase star with multi-XMAs winner Seth Gamble in the latest feature from Dorcel, titled “The Next Step.”

FSC Submits Statement to House Committee in Support of FIRM Act

Free Speech Coalition has announced that it submitted a statement to the House Financial Services Committee in support of the Financial Integrity and Regulation Management (FIRM) Act.The announcement follows:

Sabien DeMonia to Drop 'Sabien Ass Fuck'

Evil Angel has announced “Sabien Ass Fuck,” the first title from director/performer Sabien DeMonia.

Trump Tariffs Remain in Effect Pending Appeal of Trade Court Ruling

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on Thursday stayed an injunction by the U.S. Court of International Trade, delaying the trade court’s order blocking the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs, which have significantly impacted the pleasure industry.

Bree Mills on Directing 'Escape From Camp Conversion' for Adult Time's Girlcore Banner

Bree Mills was out running one day when the title of her next movie came to her: "Escape From Camp Conversion." The chief creative officer of Adult Time had been thinking about how to combine her love for queer cinema and lesbian pulp fiction with the distinct aesthetic of the 1980s.

Ricky's Room Signs Willow Ryder to 1-Year Deal

Ricky’s Room has signed Willow Ryder to a non-exclusive, multi-scene contract for one year.

Show More