Update to the RayGuhn Case and New Arrests

[jimnally]

PENSACOLA, Fla. — Prosecutors have charged adult webmaster Ray Guhn with money laundering, adding to existing obscenity, racketeering and prostitution charges filed last year.
Kevin Patrick Stevens, Andrew Kevin Draft, William Lee Beach and Thomas W. Dwyer also have been charged in the case. Jane Marie Dreka is being sought by authorities for arrest.
Prosecutors also have dropped Guhn's charges in Escambia County, where the case has been ongoing for a year, and re-filed them in Santa Rosa County, an act that his attorney Lawrence Walters told XBIZ is likely an attempt at venue shopping.
"I can only imagine that the prosecutors are trying to obtain an advantage by moving to another county to get a more favorable jury or judge," Walters said. "We have been litigating for a year in Escambia and we don't think it's appropriate to start over."
Walters also said that the new money laundering charges are more serious than any of Guhn's others. He said Florida law states that if a person profits from the commission of any crime — including obscenity — then the government can claim money laundering is taking place.
"If all material is presumed to be protected by the constitution until declared illegal by the judge or jury, then how could my client have had any idea that there was any attempt to money launder?" Walters said.
Walters' next priority, he said, is to have the case transferred back to Escambia County. He said that the state constitution declares defendants have the right to choose which venue in which to be prosecuted, as long as it is available, and Escambia County clearly is available.
Walters said he has filed a motion to transfer and expects a hearing to be scheduled next month.
He said that there is no case law that recognizes that the government can add money laundering charges and move the trial location. Though it's unfortunate that the charges have reached this extent, he said, this case is becoming more important.
"It's another groundbreaking precedent issue that this case may actually resolve," Walters said.
Guhn, whose real name is Clinton McCowan, was arrested last year on charges of racketeering, engaging in prostitution and the manufacture and sale of obscene material. The arrest culminated a months-long investigation into the operations of Guhn's company, Global Technologies Inc., doing business as Ray Guhn Productions. The website that he shot content for, CumOnHerFace.com, is part of the Cash Titans affiliate program, which he owned. Assistant State Attorney Russ Edgar did not respond to an interview request by press time.

[TheEnforcer]

Dang.. they are trying everything they can to win this. Will be interesting to see it play out. Justice sure isn't swift now is it? Been almost a year and now they want to start over.. sheesh...

[Rcourt64]

Originally Posted by jimnally

PENSACOLA, Fla. — Prosecutors have charged adult webmaster Ray Guhn with money laundering, adding to existing obscenity, racketeering and prostitution charges filed last year.
Kevin Patrick Stevens, Andrew Kevin Draft, William Lee Beach and Thomas W. Dwyer also have been charged in the case. Jane Marie Dreka is being sought by authorities for arrest. Are these people in custody? or out on Bail?
Prosecutors also have dropped Guhn's charges in Escambia County, where the case has been ongoing for a year, and re-filed them in Santa Rosa County, an act that his attorney Lawrence Walters told XBIZ is likely an attempt at venue shopping. How does this effect the charges that vary from county to county? or is that not a factor anymore since its state now?
"I can only imagine that the prosecutors are trying to obtain an advantage by moving to another county to get a more favorable jury or judge," Walters said. "We have been litigating for a year in Escambia and we don't think it's appropriate to start over."
I would think Escambia regulations and laws are much stricter than Santa Rosa?

Walters also said that the new money laundering charges are more serious than any of Guhn's others. He said Florida law states that if a person profits from the commission of any crime — including obscenity — then the government can claim money laundering is taking place.
Well if thats the case, Then why isn't Smith & Wesson charged with a crime? I mean don't they profit when a wacko goes on a murder spree using above named weapon?
"If all material is presumed to be protected by the constitution until declared illegal by the judge or jury, then how could my client have had any idea that there was any attempt to money launder?" Walters said.
Walters' next priority, he said, is to have the case transferred back to Escambia County. He said that the state constitution declares defendants have the right to choose which venue in which to be prosecuted, as long as it is available, and Escambia County clearly is available.
Walters said he has filed a motion to transfer and expects a hearing to be scheduled next month.
He said that there is no case law that recognizes that the government can add money laundering charges and move the trial location. Though it's unfortunate that the charges have reached this extent, he said, this case is becoming more important.
"It's another groundbreaking precedent issue that this case may actually resolve," Walters said.
Guhn, whose real name is Clinton McCowan, was arrested last year on charges of racketeering, engaging in prostitution and the manufacture and sale of obscene material. The arrest culminated a months-long investigation into the operations of Guhn's company, Global Technologies Inc., doing business as Ray Guhn Productions. The website that he shot content for, CumOnHerFace.com, is part of the Cash Titans affiliate program, which he owned. Assistant State Attorney Russ Edgar did not respond to an interview request by press time.

This case is gonna set a few standards for the adult industry from the looks of things.
I see them attempting to use this case to set an example to embed fear into future webmasters and sponsors in this industry
and most of you fuckers are just gonna sit back and watch? aint yas?

[Greg B]

Unless there's more to the charges than meets the eye, his lawyers can beat it.

They could push for a prostitution conviction which they can. That's about all of it.

The racketeering charges? Depends on the extent of his interests, connections and attitude. If he's an asshole, and there's no crime being an asshole, he can expect some fines and probation.

The fact the prosecutors are moving around the case is an indication of 'malice' to a degree. If I was his attorney I'd bring that up immediately and ask for the charges to be dismissed or civil charges will be filed. He only needs 51% in a civil case.

The prosecutors are after this guy for reasons we don't know about. Something he's been doing or perhaps someone whose been harmed and blame responsibility on this dude. Either way they're going dangerously, dangerously outside of their authority to convict another citizen. That's a Constitutional issue that requires immediate attention by the bench. We've seen recently the immeasurable damage done by overzealous prosecutors in the Duke rape case. That prosecutor Nifong, fucked up dozens of people's lives and placed his community in economic distress the likes we've not seen in years. Those falsely accused are suing for damages inflicted as their civil rights were violated to the worst degree. Entire families and friendships were destroyed by irresponsible prosecution.

If this guy being accused is a scumbag whose been circumventing the law to do harm, then more power to the prosecutors but they should nail him on something that merits it. Not 'ideals' and 'philosophies'.

[jimatcohf]

I thought id give a bit more information on the 3 other people arrested in this case

William Beach aka Old man, was a male actor on our site
Jane Dreka aka Sandra, was a female actress on our site
Tom Dwyer provided his house for shoot locations

All 3 now charged with racketeering, wonder how the other actors and actresses now feel about shooting content.

[Hammer]

I don't know how much you know about the case Greg, but it's hardly the slam dunk you think it is. I agree that the racketeering charges are ludicrous, but when you pay a bunch of girls to have sex with guys that you don't pay, it's pretty hard to call that anything but prostitution and since prostitution in Florida is illegal, they better hope Larry Walters is really worth his lofty price tag.

[softball]

Originally Posted by Hammer

I don't know how much you know about the case Greg, but it's hardly the slam dunk you think it is. I agree that the racketeering charges are ludicrous, but when you pay a bunch of girls to have sex with guys that you don't pay, it's pretty hard to call that anything but prostitution and since prostitution in Florida is illegal, they better hope Larry Walters is really worth his lofty price tag.

You should always pay everyone. Even if it is a token dollar. What I want to know, did any girls get paid to have sex with guys at parties, not on tape?