Virginia Adult Store Owners Indicted for Obscenity

NORTH STAFFORD, Va. — Two owners of the Virginia sex shop Pheromoans were indicted on three misdemeanor charges of violating the state’s obscenity laws. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.

In Virginia it’s a crime to sell adult movies but not to buy or posses them.

Detective John Hughes began his investigation into Lesley Mason and Meagan Pacheco’s Pheromoans store on Oct. 23 when he purchased “Barely Legal Hotties” and one other adult film. Another detective returned later that day and purchased two more adult films, according to court records.

On a subsequent Oct. 27 trip, detectives purchased “The Devil in Miss Jones” and “Deep Throat,” two classics from the Golden Age of adult film. The Gerard Damiano-directed “Deep Throat” was successfully used in an obscenity prosecution in Stafford 20 years ago, according to Stafford prosecutor Jim Peterson.

Given the relatively tame sexual acts depicted in both classic films, 1st Amendment Attorney Lawrence Walters found their selections in an obscenity bust to be strange.

“Both movies have been around for decades and now are part of American culture,” Walters told XBIZ. “This might be part of an intentional strategy by the prosecutors, because the bar will be set very low for what constitutes an obscene work if they get a conviction.”

Additionally, Walters said that the inclusion of “Deep Throat” in obscenity cases has resulted in both convictions and acquittals, so while there is precedent for the case to move forward, the defense can successfully use a counterargument.

Hughes said that the purchased movies “have a dominant theme, which is prurient in nature,” according to an affidavit for a search warrant.

Peterson told Frederiksburg.com, a local news site, that the police investigation was “spurred by complaints from the community.” Stafford has not pursued an obscenity case since the 1980s.

Free Speech Coalition Board Chair Jeffrey Douglas believes the prosecutors might be politically motivated to obtain an obscenity conviction.

“One aphorism I use is, an obscenity prosecution occurs at the convergence of politics and idealogy,” Douglas told XBIZ. “Announcing the indictment on the eve of an election is a political stunt. Given that ‘Deep Throat’ and ‘The Devil in Miss Jones’ are plot-driven stories that are part of pop culture makes this case fascinating and one the industry should watch.

“It’s hard to imagine in this day and age that ‘Deep Throat’ and ‘The Devil in Miss Jones are prosecutable in a county that’s not being run by the Taliban.”

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

B-Vibe Spotlighted on Reviewed.com

B-Vibe has been featured in a Reviewed.com round-up of top-rated anal toys by writer Ryan Yates.

Orion Debuts New Style From Cottelli Lingerie

Orion Wholesale has added a new style from its Cottelli lingerie line.

The Cowgirl Debuts 'Saddle' Sex Machine

Cowgirl has introduced its new Saddle sex machine with attachments.

XR Brands Releases 'Jock Enhancers' Collection

XR Brands has introduced its new Jock Enhancers line.

Blush Introduces 'Golden Dawn' Dildo From Avant Line

Blush has debuted the Golden Dawn dildo from its Avant Collection.

Orion Debuts 'Nodding Head' Vibe From Sweet Smile Line

Orion Wholesale has introduced the Vibrator With a Nodding Head from its Sweet Smile line.

Full Circle Debuts New 'Cleo Feather' Vibe

Pleasure brand Full Circle has introduced its new Cleo Feather Tickler vibrator.

Pjur Launches 'Toy' Line in North America

Pjur has announced its Toy series of wellness products will be available for purchase in the U.S. starting in September.

Orion Expands Cottelli 'Costumes' Line

Orion Wholesale has introduced two new outfits from its Cottelli Costumes line.

Harry Styles' Lifestyle Brand Enters Sexual Wellness Space With 'Pleasing Yourself' Vibe, Lube

Pleasing, the lifestyle brand founded by Harry Styles, has launched its first sexual wellness product line, Pleasing Yourself, featuring a double-sided vibrator and a silicone lubricant.

Show More