News Summary
Michael Pratt, founder of GirlsDoPorn, has pleaded guilty to sex trafficking and conspiracy in a federal case that has impacted numerous victims. His request for a sentence of less than 22 years follows allegations of coercing young women into pornographic videos from 2012 to 2019. Despite his plea, victims highlight ongoing trauma and the need for accountability in the adult industry. Pratt, once a fugitive on the FBI’s Most Wanted List, faces significant legal consequences as multiple civil lawsuits continue against him.
San Diego, CA – Michael Pratt, the founder of the adult website GirlsDoPorn, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking in federal court. This plea marks a significant development in a case that has garnered extensive attention due to the serious allegations against Pratt and the impact on numerous victims. In his plea, Pratt has requested a federal judge to impose a sentence of less than 22 years for his crimes.
Pratt’s illicit activities reportedly took place between 2012 and 2019, during which he is accused of coercing young women into appearing in pornographic videos. Many of these women suffered severe harm as a result of their experiences. One victim highlighted that Pratt’s guilty plea does little to address the enduring trauma and damage inflicted upon them.
To lure young women, Pratt utilized a fake modeling agency and advertised positions for models aged 23 and younger across various platforms, including Craigslist. Victims were misled into believing that they were applying for clothed modeling jobs, yet these roles ultimately involved performing explicit sexual acts on camera. Once the women were recruited, Pratt and his associates organized traveling arrangements, including flights and accommodations, often providing alcohol and drugs before the filming commenced.
The filming procedure was further marred by unethical practices; victims were presented with contracts that were rushed through, limiting their ability to read them thoroughly. Many were promised that the footage would not be posted online. However, after the filming concluded, victims were frequently compensated less than what had been agreed upon and were subsequently dismissed. The videos were then uploaded to the GirlsDoPorn website and various popular porn platforms, including PornHub and YouPorn, where they accumulated millions of views.
Adding to the distress, Pratt instructed his team to contact the victims’ families and friends to watch the videos, compounding the trauma for the affected women. When victims sought to have their videos removed from the internet, Pratt allegedly turned a deaf ear to their pleas. This disregard for the victims’ autonomy has led to over 130 women filing civil lawsuits against both Pratt and GirlsDoPorn in pursuit of accountability.
Pratt has been on the run since 2019, following the initiation of civil lawsuits against him. He was placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted List for three years until his arrest in Spain in December 2022. He was extradited back to San Diego in March 2024 to face the charges in the U.S. Federal authorities have estimated that Pratt and his associates made over $17 million from their operations at GirlsDoPorn.
Two of Pratt’s co-defendants, actor Ruben Andre Garcia and videographer Matthew Wolfe, have already faced sentencing, receiving 20 and 14 years in prison, respectively. In 2020, a judge determined that GirlsDoPorn was liable for fraud and breach of contract, awarding victims nearly $13 million in damages. Despite these legal victories, the psychological scars remain for many victims, who report ongoing trauma, difficulties in personal relationships, job losses, and safety concerns stemming from the public exposure of their videos.
Attorney Brian Holm, representing numerous victims in this case, has noted that while the legal process has shed light on the heinous nature of the crimes, he believes true justice may remain elusive for the affected women. The plight of these victims serves as a stark reminder of the realities of exploitation and the long-lasting effects of such trauma, highlighting the need for ongoing discussions and actions regarding the accountability of individuals in the adult entertainment industry.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: GirlsDoPorn Boss Pleads Guilty
- Wikipedia: Sex Trafficking
- San Diego Union-Tribune: Founder Pleads Guilty
- Google Search: GirlsDoPorn
- CBS 8: Owner Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking
- Google Scholar: Sex Trafficking Awareness
- 10 News: GirlsDoPorn Owner Pleads Guilty
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Human Trafficking
- Fox 5 San Diego: Owner Changes Plea to Guilty
- Google News: GirlsDoPorn Sex Trafficking
