Update to the RayGuhn Case and New Arrests

jimnally · 07-10-2007

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.

07-10-2007	#1
jimnally Bone Thug Wannabee Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 13	Update to the RayGuhn Case and New Arrests 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.