News Summary
Michael Pratt, owner of GirlsDoPorn.com, is facing a potential 22-year prison sentence for his role in a sex trafficking conspiracy. Prosecutors describe him as the ‘ringleader’ who exploited women by misleading them about the nature of their participation in pornographic films. Despite promises of anonymity, Pratt profited significantly from distributing the videos online. As sentencing approaches, discussions continue about the accountability of adult entertainment producers and the protections available for exploited individuals.
San Diego – Michael James Pratt, the owner of GirlsDoPorn.com, is facing a potential prison sentence for his role in a sex trafficking conspiracy. Federal prosecutors have recommended a sentence of nearly 22 years, following Pratt’s guilty plea earlier this year to charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. His defense attorney is anticipated to advocate for a shorter sentence of 17-and-a-half years.
Pratt has been labeled by prosecutors as the “ringleader” of an operation that exploited women by taking advantage of their trust. Victims were often misled, believing their participation in pornographic films would only be shared with private clients overseas, with their identities protected. However, instead of safeguarding their anonymity, Pratt profited immensely—reportedly earning “millions of dollars” from distributing the videos online.
The victims were frequently promised that their videos would not be published online, with assurances from “reference girls” claiming past projects had remained unseen. However, upon arrival in San Diego for the shoots, victims were presented with fraudulent contracts designed to obscure the real intentions of the filming. Companies such as Bubblegum Casting and BLL Media were used to mask their connection to GirlsDoPorn, further complicating the victims’ understanding of the situations they were stepping into.
Reports indicate that many women felt coerced during filming. Some were issued threats—including potential lawsuits or canceled flights home—if they chose not to participate. The production locations often lacked proper exits, leaving victims feeling trapped and vulnerable during shoots. After their videos were uploaded, requests from numerous women to remove them from the site were largely ignored.
In early 2020, the operators of the website faced serious legal repercussions, including a $13 million lawsuit brought by 22 women, resulting in a significant verdict against them. Following the start of the civil trial, Pratt fled the United States and became a fugitive, ultimately arrested in Spain at the end of 2022.
Pratt is among the final employees of GirlsDoPorn to be sentenced, joining several co-defendants who have already been held accountable for their roles in the operation. Notable sentences include:
- Ruben Andre Garcia: 20 years
- Matthew Isaac Wolfe: 14 years
- Theodore Gyi: 4 years
- Alexander Brian Foster: 1 year for creating a video intended to intimidate civil plaintiffs
Valorie Moser, a bookkeeper for GirlsDoPorn, is scheduled for sentencing later this week for her awareness of the trafficking scheme. Additionally, Douglas Wiederhold, another defendant who participated in 71 videos, is awaiting sentencing after also pleading guilty.
The prosecution has pointed out that the sex trafficking charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, with the possibility of life imprisonment. In his plea agreement, Pratt admitted to his involvement in recruiting women through online platforms while applying pressure to compel them into sexual acts once they arrived for filming. Moreover, he acknowledged the significant harm caused to many of these women by his actions.
As the sentencing of Pratt approaches, the wider implications of this case on the accountability of adult entertainment producers and the protections available to women in similar situations are igniting ongoing discussions about the need for legal reforms and enhanced victim support.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
New Zealand Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking Charges
GirlsDoPorn Founder Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking
Additional Resources
- CBS 8
- NBC San Diego
- Gold Rush Cam
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Wikipedia: Sex Trafficking in the United States
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
