This photo released by the Texas Office of the Attorney General shows Carl Ferrer. State agents have raided the Dallas headquarters of adult classified ad portal Backpage and arrested Chief Executive Officer Ferrer. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton alleges that adult and child sex-trafficking victims had been forced into prostitution through escort ads posted on the site. Paxton announced that Ferrer had been arrested Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016, on a California warrant after arriving in Houston on a flight from Amsterdam. (Texas Office of the Attorney General via AP)
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cristycurves
Guest
Wow, I guess time will tell how this plays out. I can't see how they can hold staff responsible for what others post, but I'm not a lawyer. This may set a precedent for how we can or cannot advertise online, regardless if we sell sex or time.
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Guest
Another article with more info:
DALLAS - State agents raided the Dallas headquarters of adult classified ad portal Backpage and arrested Chief Executive Officer Carl Ferrer on Thursday following allegations that adult and child sex-trafficking victims had been forced into prostitution through escort ads posted on the site.
Ferrer, 55, was arrested on a California warrant after arriving at Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport on a flight from Amsterdam.
"Making money off the backs of innocent human beings by allowing them to be exploited for modern-day slavery is not acceptable in Texas," Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, said in a statement.
California Attorney General Kamala Harris said that Ferrer was arrested on felony charges of pimping a minor, pimping, and conspiracy to commit pimping. He is being held in lieu of $500,000 bond and will face an extradition hearing before he can be returned to California.
"Raking in millions of dollars from the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable victims is outrageous, despicable and illegal," said Harris, a Democrat who is running for the U.S. Senate in next month's election. "Backpage and its executives purposefully and unlawfully designed Backpage to be the world's top online brothel."
An attorney representing Backpage, Liz McDougall, did not immediately respond to telephone and email messages left by The Associated Press.
The site's controlling shareholders, Michael Lacey, 68, and James Larkin, 67, have been charged with conspiracy to commit pimping, Harris said in a statement. Neither of them has been taken into custody by late Thursday although warrants have been issued for their arrest. Under California's law, felony pimping is defined as making money off of prostitutes or soliciting customers for prostitution.
Lacey and Larkin are former owners of the Village Voice and the Phoenix New Times. An attorney who previously represented the two men, Michael Manning, did not immediately respond to a telephone message from The AP.
Backpage advertises a wide range of services, but the California arrest warrant alleges that internal business records obtained through a search warrant show that 99 per cent its revenue came from its adult services section between January 2013 and March 2015. California officials said the site collects fees from users who use coded language and nearly nude photos to offer sex for money.
Worldwide revenue from sex ads topped $3.1 million in just one week last year, according to a court affidavit. It says Ferrer expanded Backpage's share of online sex marketing by creating affiliated sites including EvilEmpire.com and BigCity.com with related content.
The site operates in hundreds of cities worldwide, authorities said, including more than 30 in California. It collected $2.5 million per month just from California, or more than $51 million during the 29 months covered by the internal revenue reports.
Larkin and Lacey each received $10 million bonuses from the website in September 2014, according to the court filing. It says Backpage was created in 2004, but since 2014 has been owned by a Netherlands-based company that has Ferrer as its only named partner.
California authorities said the state's three-year investigation found many of the ads include victims of sex trafficking including children under the age of 18.
One of the advertisers, identified only as 15-year-old "E.S.," ''was forced into prostitution at the age of 13 by her pimp," according to an affidavit filed with the complaint. She used other online advertising services until they were shut down, the court filing says, when she turned to Backpage. "I mean really, coming from someone my age, there is too much access, like it's too easy for people to get on it and post an ad," she told California Special Agent Brian Fichtner, according to his affidavit.
California officials said their investigation was prompted in part by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which reported 2,900 instances to California authorities since 2012 when suspected child sex trafficking occurred using Backpage.
The criminal complaint includes allegations that five minors, three of them including "E.S." under age 16, paid to post advertisements on Backpage.
The charges against Ferrer could bring him nearly 22 years in prison, while Larkin and Lacey face a maximum six years.
Backpage has been the subject of recent Senate hearings into its classified ads. Last month, the Supreme Court refused to block a Senate subpoena seeking information on how Backpage screens ads for possible sex trafficking.
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, chairman and ranking member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, issued a statement hailing the criminal charges resulting from what they called "the scourge of online sex trafficking."
They put the site's estimated annual revenues at more than $150 million, calling it "a market leader in commercial sex advertising."
DALLAS - State agents raided the Dallas headquarters of adult classified ad portal Backpage and arrested Chief Executive Officer Carl Ferrer on Thursday following allegations that adult and child sex-trafficking victims had been forced into prostitution through escort ads posted on the site.
Ferrer, 55, was arrested on a California warrant after arriving at Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport on a flight from Amsterdam.
"Making money off the backs of innocent human beings by allowing them to be exploited for modern-day slavery is not acceptable in Texas," Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, said in a statement.
California Attorney General Kamala Harris said that Ferrer was arrested on felony charges of pimping a minor, pimping, and conspiracy to commit pimping. He is being held in lieu of $500,000 bond and will face an extradition hearing before he can be returned to California.
"Raking in millions of dollars from the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable victims is outrageous, despicable and illegal," said Harris, a Democrat who is running for the U.S. Senate in next month's election. "Backpage and its executives purposefully and unlawfully designed Backpage to be the world's top online brothel."
An attorney representing Backpage, Liz McDougall, did not immediately respond to telephone and email messages left by The Associated Press.
The site's controlling shareholders, Michael Lacey, 68, and James Larkin, 67, have been charged with conspiracy to commit pimping, Harris said in a statement. Neither of them has been taken into custody by late Thursday although warrants have been issued for their arrest. Under California's law, felony pimping is defined as making money off of prostitutes or soliciting customers for prostitution.
Lacey and Larkin are former owners of the Village Voice and the Phoenix New Times. An attorney who previously represented the two men, Michael Manning, did not immediately respond to a telephone message from The AP.
Backpage advertises a wide range of services, but the California arrest warrant alleges that internal business records obtained through a search warrant show that 99 per cent its revenue came from its adult services section between January 2013 and March 2015. California officials said the site collects fees from users who use coded language and nearly nude photos to offer sex for money.
Worldwide revenue from sex ads topped $3.1 million in just one week last year, according to a court affidavit. It says Ferrer expanded Backpage's share of online sex marketing by creating affiliated sites including EvilEmpire.com and BigCity.com with related content.
The site operates in hundreds of cities worldwide, authorities said, including more than 30 in California. It collected $2.5 million per month just from California, or more than $51 million during the 29 months covered by the internal revenue reports.
Larkin and Lacey each received $10 million bonuses from the website in September 2014, according to the court filing. It says Backpage was created in 2004, but since 2014 has been owned by a Netherlands-based company that has Ferrer as its only named partner.
California authorities said the state's three-year investigation found many of the ads include victims of sex trafficking including children under the age of 18.
One of the advertisers, identified only as 15-year-old "E.S.," ''was forced into prostitution at the age of 13 by her pimp," according to an affidavit filed with the complaint. She used other online advertising services until they were shut down, the court filing says, when she turned to Backpage. "I mean really, coming from someone my age, there is too much access, like it's too easy for people to get on it and post an ad," she told California Special Agent Brian Fichtner, according to his affidavit.
California officials said their investigation was prompted in part by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which reported 2,900 instances to California authorities since 2012 when suspected child sex trafficking occurred using Backpage.
The criminal complaint includes allegations that five minors, three of them including "E.S." under age 16, paid to post advertisements on Backpage.
The charges against Ferrer could bring him nearly 22 years in prison, while Larkin and Lacey face a maximum six years.
Backpage has been the subject of recent Senate hearings into its classified ads. Last month, the Supreme Court refused to block a Senate subpoena seeking information on how Backpage screens ads for possible sex trafficking.
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, chairman and ranking member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, issued a statement hailing the criminal charges resulting from what they called "the scourge of online sex trafficking."
They put the site's estimated annual revenues at more than $150 million, calling it "a market leader in commercial sex advertising."
I think you mean to say
we should all just stay in padded rooms so nobody ever get's hurt
Although in most peoples minds, it is easy to see the distinction between right and wrong in the sex trade, the problem is putting it down on paper and not stepping on anyone's toes or rights.
That said, when I was dealing with the RCMP and a couple of police services in relation to sexual exploitation, the sole focus was squarely on persons who tried to take advantage of women. Others laws are put in place to achieve that goal.
It is by way of an international agreement that Canada is party to, the laws may be written in Canada but they are designed to comply with International standards.
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cristycurves
Guest
https://reason.com/blog/2016/10/06/backpagecom-ceo-carl-ferrer-arrested
Just like banning pit bulls won't stop dog maulings, or biting incidents, neither will shutting down sites that allow adult ads, stop trafficking or pimps that push underage girls into the biz. BP advertises to report trafficking or child exploitation, they have staff for that. Those politicians do gooders need to get a life, a brain and another occupation. It's a good show they're putting on as they ride in with their white hats, but their disdain for escorting in general is obvious. Hopefully as MM states, they'll be sued into poverty.
Just like banning pit bulls won't stop dog maulings, or biting incidents, neither will shutting down sites that allow adult ads, stop trafficking or pimps that push underage girls into the biz. BP advertises to report trafficking or child exploitation, they have staff for that. Those politicians do gooders need to get a life, a brain and another occupation. It's a good show they're putting on as they ride in with their white hats, but their disdain for escorting in general is obvious. Hopefully as MM states, they'll be sued into poverty.
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User-E
Guest
Parts of BP's Terms state:
Terms
Updated Jun 1, 2015
Objectives/Content:
backpage.com is a web site (the "Site") that hosts classified advertising and related content created and developed by third-party users. Your use of the Site, including all access, services and/or features, is governed by these Terms of Use and the (collectively, "Terms"), and you should review both carefully. By using the Site in any way, you are agreeing to comply with these Terms.
The Site reserves the right to change the Terms at any time and for any reason. Updated versions of the Terms will be posted to the Site at backpage.com and you should visit this page periodically to keep apprised of any changes. By continuing to use the Site after any such change, you accept and agree to the modified Terms. The Site reserves the right to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the Site, any site features, benefits (including without limitation blocking or terminating your Account), rules or conditions, all without notice, even though such changes may affect the way you use the Site. You agree that the Site will not be liable to you or any third-party for any modification or discontinuance of the Site.
User Conduct:
Without limitation, you agree to refrain from the following actions while using the Site:
1. Harassing, threatening, embarrassing or causing distress or discomfort upon another individual or entity or impersonating any other person or entity or otherwise restricting or inhibiting any other person from using or enjoying the Site;
2. Transmitting any information, data, text, files, links, software, chats, communication or other materials that is unlawful, false, misleading, harmful, threatening, abusive, invasive of another's privacy, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, hateful or racially or otherwise objectionable, including without limitation material of any kind or nature that encourages conduct that could constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any applicable local, state, provincial, national, or international law or regulation, or encourage the use of controlled substances;
3. Posting advertising or solicitation in categories that is not appropriate, or posting the same item or service in more than one category or more than once every 7 days, or posting the same ad in multiple cities on the Site;
4. (a) Posting adult content or explicit adult material unless: (i) such material is specifically permitted in designated adult categories and permitted under applicable federal, state, and local law; and (ii) you are at least 18 years of age or older and not considered to be a minor in your state of residence;
(b) Posting, anywhere on the Site, obscene or lewd and lascivious graphics or photographs which depict genitalia or actual or simulated sexual acts, as determined in the sole discretion of backpage.com;
(c) Posting any solicitation directly or in “coded” fashion for any illegal service exchanging sexual favors for money or other valuable consideration;
(d) Posting any material on the Site that exploits minors in any way;
(e) Posting any material on the Site that in any way constitutes or assists in human trafficking.
5. Posting any ad for products or services, use or sale of which is prohibited by any law or regulation;
Please report any violations of these Terms to: [email protected]
You agree to comply with all applicable laws, statutes, regulations, and ordinances concerning your use of the Site.
...
So the people violating the Terms should be prosecuted, and maybe BP should monitor the ads more closely since they're obviously aware that many people are violating their Terms.
Terms
Updated Jun 1, 2015
Objectives/Content:
backpage.com is a web site (the "Site") that hosts classified advertising and related content created and developed by third-party users. Your use of the Site, including all access, services and/or features, is governed by these Terms of Use and the (collectively, "Terms"), and you should review both carefully. By using the Site in any way, you are agreeing to comply with these Terms.
The Site reserves the right to change the Terms at any time and for any reason. Updated versions of the Terms will be posted to the Site at backpage.com and you should visit this page periodically to keep apprised of any changes. By continuing to use the Site after any such change, you accept and agree to the modified Terms. The Site reserves the right to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the Site, any site features, benefits (including without limitation blocking or terminating your Account), rules or conditions, all without notice, even though such changes may affect the way you use the Site. You agree that the Site will not be liable to you or any third-party for any modification or discontinuance of the Site.
User Conduct:
Without limitation, you agree to refrain from the following actions while using the Site:
1. Harassing, threatening, embarrassing or causing distress or discomfort upon another individual or entity or impersonating any other person or entity or otherwise restricting or inhibiting any other person from using or enjoying the Site;
2. Transmitting any information, data, text, files, links, software, chats, communication or other materials that is unlawful, false, misleading, harmful, threatening, abusive, invasive of another's privacy, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, hateful or racially or otherwise objectionable, including without limitation material of any kind or nature that encourages conduct that could constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any applicable local, state, provincial, national, or international law or regulation, or encourage the use of controlled substances;
3. Posting advertising or solicitation in categories that is not appropriate, or posting the same item or service in more than one category or more than once every 7 days, or posting the same ad in multiple cities on the Site;
4. (a) Posting adult content or explicit adult material unless: (i) such material is specifically permitted in designated adult categories and permitted under applicable federal, state, and local law; and (ii) you are at least 18 years of age or older and not considered to be a minor in your state of residence;
(b) Posting, anywhere on the Site, obscene or lewd and lascivious graphics or photographs which depict genitalia or actual or simulated sexual acts, as determined in the sole discretion of backpage.com;
(c) Posting any solicitation directly or in “coded” fashion for any illegal service exchanging sexual favors for money or other valuable consideration;
(d) Posting any material on the Site that exploits minors in any way;
(e) Posting any material on the Site that in any way constitutes or assists in human trafficking.
5. Posting any ad for products or services, use or sale of which is prohibited by any law or regulation;
Please report any violations of these Terms to: [email protected]
You agree to comply with all applicable laws, statutes, regulations, and ordinances concerning your use of the Site.
...
So the people violating the Terms should be prosecuted, and maybe BP should monitor the ads more closely since they're obviously aware that many people are violating their Terms.
U
User-E
Guest
The more I think about it, the more I agree that the owners of BP should face legal consequences. They run an international, multi-million dollar business where there's proof that pimps are using their website to traffick women and advertise underage girls, yet they're too cheap to hire moderators to monitor their ads, or institute some kind of verification service to make sure this isn't happening?
They seem to be leaving it up to law enforcement to stop the criminal activity, or relying on readers of their website to report suspicious posts.
They seem to be leaving it up to law enforcement to stop the criminal activity, or relying on readers of their website to report suspicious posts.
and how is it stopped, recognizing that exploitation of women and children is a heinous crime, deserving of specific consequences involving sex.
papasmerf
Senior Member
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Unfortunately without industry cooperation the only way to shut it down is to attack the industry as a whole.I have for years supported the industry's cooperation in shutting down trafficking.....But as a whole that idea as fallen upon deaf ears.If it comes down to closing down I am guessing people will move towards putting a stop to the trafficking.
That unfortunately is the problem and to say it isn't in our back yard, I can tell you first hand it was and probably still is.
It really is not about do-gooders, rather a few bad apples spoils the bunch. If the industry wants change, it has to come from within.
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Guest
The new Canadian laws regarding sex work have put a huge road block in the way of allowing those within the industry to help deal with trafficking. Most clients would never report a situation where they suspect women are being trafficked, due to fear of being prosecuted themselves, and publicly outed in the media and court records.
papasmerf
Senior Member
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Same holds for the US..........But unless the industry as a whole works to stop this then the law will keep making things worse.
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Guest
Making it extremely difficult for pimps to advertise their trafficked and underage girls would cut their profit, but even if legit sites crack down on it, they'd still find ways to advertise on the dark web unfortunately. This industry attracts a lot of criminals who won't stop doing what they're doing, because they make so much money doing it.
papasmerf
Senior Member
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Putting them down is the best way to end it.
U
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Guest
The really sad thing is that there will always be clients who will pay to see women who are trafficked and underage because they really don't care as long as they get what they want.
Agree, but my gut tells me that the focus for all police services is the problem group and not the johns themselves. They may use them as pawns to acheive their real target. Proving that prostitution was involved and then abuse. I really can't see them going after johns otherwise we would have daily raids at Toronts's massage parlours.
Trafficking is over rated and so is underage. How many of the avid reviewers here have come across underage and forced women? It's overblown and if the stigma were to end, the ladies who maybe being "pimped" would be quicker to come out and cry for help.
