Need help /raided and computers seized

webwoman · 2005-11-18, 02:28 AM

wednesday afternoon at 2pm in enfield ct
my home was raided by the local and state police . There were over 30 officers some in uniforms some in plain clothes that stormed into my home shouting we have a search warrant. They ordered us to sit down on the couch .
I was never shown a search warrant only told that i would see it when they finished checking for whatever it was they were looking for.
I did not open the door to let them in they entered on their own.
I asked to see the warrant and they refused to show me.
The town that i live in approved my home based internet adult business along with a studio that i shoot content and video for my sites. i have all my legal paper work as far as taxes 2257 and zoning ect.
When they did not find what they were looking for they decided to take my 4 computers cameras all my business files and both rooms of furniture that we use for our shoots . I have a bdsm fetish website that they have decided to investigate. they told me it was illegal to pratice sadomasochism because it was a sex act the same as intercourse.
they told me spanking and any type of this play was prostitution. They made no arrest nor did they ever leave the warrant or the itemized list of things they took.
It took them 5 hrs to go through my house and dismantel and pack all of the so called evidence into their new forensic van. My sites are still up and running
I have called the freespeach collision today in hopes that they could help me with an attorney for my adult based business. My sold source of income comes from my websites and videos that i sell and people in the fetish lifestyle who help in the expenses associated with adult industry.
I was also setup when they had a man show up at my door saying that he was here for his spanking and that he was to give me 250 for it..
imagine having to park your car in the front of a house thats being raided with 30 police cars a hugh forensic van parked in my driveway and cops outside inside and everywhere ..the cops watched as the guy got out of his car walked through all the officers holding money in his hand claiming that he was told he would get a spanking session with EmpressM AND that it was 250. Tell me what kind of fool would come to the door seeing all that action going on and say he was here on business.

It was a setup ..still dont know why they raided me took all my stuff and left .
how do i get it back anyone have any information i can use to help fight this.
Michelle
i have seen other people who own sites raided as well. if its possible to talk about how they got through it. or who the contacted to help ..thank you for listening ..if i posted in the wrong area sorry about that but i understand this board to be one of the best sources of information and help.

Surfn · 2005-11-18, 02:47 AM

If things went down the way you say you have some serious law suites pending. Most of what you have said is illegal for them to do.

I would contact an attorney and or the ACLU and move forward. I doubt that you will get anything returned to you but you may get monetary relief.

Bill · 2005-11-18, 04:40 AM

In case you haven't been told this already, you should write down everything you can remember about this while it is still fresh in your mind. Take as many pictures as is safe to do and possible, write down everything that happens to you, with a note or estimate of the time, every name you can, every detail you can.

This will probably be worth it's weight in gold later, as these things take a while, and courts and lawyers are more responsive to notes and details.

If you can, keep us informed as things progress.

Halfdeck · 2005-11-18, 04:50 AM

I've met cops who have no respect for the law and they make me sick.

Your story kinda puts me on edge because I also live in CT. Hold them accountable for every line they cross and make them pay -- Otherwise they will continue raiding who knows how many other webmasters.

furrygirl · 2005-11-18, 06:11 AM

I'm sure you're at your wit's end trying to sort out what to do, but as Bill said, write everything down. Try and get everything you can down on paper, including officer names and badge numbers, if you have them.

Although many of them are hostile towards sex workers and pornographers, I would try and get in touch with some lefty groups in your area. Many "left" organizations have dealt with government harassment and bullshit searches, so they may have some good civil rights resources for you that are region-specific. You could try posting an account of your raid on the Danbury IMC http://www.madhattersimc.org and see if you get any helpful replies.

Best of luck, please keep us posted, and let us know what your sites are so the bloggers can get to work talking about your situation and possibly helping with legal fundraising.

RawAlex · 2005-11-18, 10:45 AM

webwoman, I will give you exactly one tip: Get a lawyer. A chat board isn't going to be able to help you with the issue you got. If your story is true, I have a feeling that your local police / community / neighbors have gotten together to get rid of you. The guy showing up with the money is a nice capper and that will go over really well.

Get a lawyer. Get a lawyer. Get a lawyer. Get a lawyer.

All other advice here is a waste of your time, and any post you make could be used against you in the future. Put a ball gag in your mouth and let a laywer do the talking.

Alex

RawAlex · 2005-11-18, 10:55 AM

I will also say this: I had a look at your website, and I see you soliciting for "donations" or "tips" or whatever for sessions, running between $300 and $1000 - and using epassporte to get paid for it.

You truly need a lawyer, I have a feeling (that if this thread is true) that you are in some seriously deep shit, and you won't be able to spank and whip your way out of this one.

Alex

Hammer · 2005-11-18, 12:48 PM

Gonna be hard to fight the prostition rap when you accept donations or tips for sexual services, whether it involves intercourse or not.

Kath · 2005-11-18, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RawAlex

You truly need a lawyer, I have a feeling (that if this thread is true) that you are in some seriously deep shit, and you won't be able to spank and whip your way out of this one.

Alex

I have to say that I agree with Alex 100% on this. Get the lawyer and stop posting on the boards. Make sure the lawyer is experienced in adult Internet-based business law and has a solid reputation. I'm sure people could recommend quite a few here on the boards... the first that come to mind would be JD Obenberger (www.xxxlaw.net) and Larry Walters (www.firstamendment.com) - but I know there are loads of fantastic lawyers in our industry that have the experience and knowledge to help you out here.

THAT is the only advice you need now - getting a lawyer, getting one fast and getting a good one.

Good luck.

babymaker · 2005-11-18, 01:30 PM

hey, Alex where did you get the URL for the site?? i want to take a look too.

SirMoby · 2005-11-18, 02:55 PM

If you've been taking donations or tips then this is not a place to get advice. Actually even if your weren't it's still not a place to get legal advice. People will send you off in the wrong direction without posting anything helpful.

Talk to a lawyer. If you want some referrals of individual lawyers then ask for such.

All that being said. I'd take Bill's advice and document everything in great detail. I mean great detail. Good documentation can save your ass.

RawAlex · 2005-11-18, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymaker

hey, Alex where did you get the URL for the site?? i want to take a look too.

I searched google for "EmpressM" and sort of followed along from there... I found her "personal" site no problem. I think epassporte people would flip if they knew what she was using her account for.

Alex

Greenguy · 2005-11-18, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RawAlex

I searched google for "EmpressM" and sort of followed along from there... I found her "personal" site no problem. I think epassporte people would flip if they knew what she was using her account for.

Alex

Let's not forget webmasters like me who are promoting the site & not getting a cut from the "donations"

GonZo · 2005-11-18, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenguy

Let's not forget webmasters like me who are promoting the site & not getting a cut from the "donations"

Looks like she needs a lawyer for several reasons...

babymaker · 2005-11-18, 03:57 PM

Thanx Alex, I found it. She will probably be in trouble for the "prostitution" stuff can't really fight that. It says right on the website she does it and names a price, pretty hard to get out of.

Tommy · 2005-11-18, 04:13 PM

no offence but is it just me or does anyone else feel that sites like these hurt all of us

I feel that websites like these that sell illegal things like prostition
are exactly the type of sites that brings in goverment regulation

RawAlex · 2005-11-18, 04:18 PM

Tommy, sites like this do great harm to our business at the end of the day. They attempt to put acts that are likely illegal (including solicitation for prostituion, penetration with bondage, and the like) into the mainstream porn world, and when the shit hits the fan, they try to pull the cover of legal porn over themselves.

There are cam girls out there that, for a donation, will invite fans to do shows with them. I don't really see where this is different from prositution, but I guess they think they can cover themselves over with legal porn and think they are not doing anything wrong.

The enforcement officials are not that stupid.

Alex

Tommy · 2005-11-18, 04:25 PM

Alex
I agree 100% with you, Very well said

Bill · 2005-11-18, 04:36 PM

At first glance, the site looks like a normal 'amateur' bdsm femdom site.

But, upon deeper examination, it does seem to be soliciting money for sex acts.

Which does look like they are definitely breaking the law.

There exists a pretty large illegal dominitrix prostitute business around the country, but mixing it with legal porn is fucked up.

In general, I'm not a big fan of police and prosecutors. And everybody running any type of small porn production business out of their home has good reason to fear them.

But, that's not a legitimate porn site.

Hammer · 2005-11-18, 05:03 PM

I think it's ridiculous that prostitution is illegal and that a woman can't charge a man for having sex with her if she feels like it, but posting on an adult webmaster board after you get busted for prositition and comparing that to someone running an adult website is pretty lame.

Ramster · 2005-11-18, 05:43 PM

Alex, yes well said!!

Wow, I did not post before but to me it seems clear. You deserved to be raided and you are not an adult webmaster. You are a prostitute selling your services via a web site online...not the same IMO.

RawAlex · 2005-11-18, 06:20 PM

I would truly be interested to see how many of her "models" actually signed model releases without being under duress.

*sigh*

Alex

furrygirl · 2005-11-18, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommy

no offence but is it just me or does anyone else feel that sites like these hurt all of us

I feel that websites like these that sell illegal things like prostition
are exactly the type of sites that brings in goverment regulation

Many of us have argued that the same goes for sites like Sleep Assault or Little April or Meat Holes. I guess it's easier to pick on someone who's not a major sponsor, though?

---

Anyhow, if EmpressM does come back, here's some additional advice from a fellow woman who's not going to lecture her about anything. If you are dealing with prostitution charges, an adult site lawyer may not be your best choice, or you may want to talk to two lawyers. Check out the California-based Sex Worker's Outreach Project, they should have some legal referrals for you: http://www.swop-usa.org/ $pread Magazine is a newer publication by and for all sorts of sex workers, they are based in NY and might have some regional referrals for you: http://www.spreadmagazine.org Hook Online is by and for men, but they are probably also worth contacting for legal counsel suggestions: http://www.hookonline.org Best of luck!

Ramster · 2005-11-18, 08:05 PM

furrygirl, yes there are many sites out there that are not good for "us".

robwebster · 2005-11-18, 08:33 PM

Though BDSM and Fetish are hard to understand let me try to provide you with these facts. I am a webmaster for Empressm.net. I work in conjunction with the videographer to produce and maintain the site. I can see how this can be misconstrued. If you are referring to her personal site fortressofpain.com, this site is not a part of our network of membership sites. As far as committing any crime, prostitution or otherwise, nobody was arrested or charged with any crime. As a matter of fact they were fully aware of our personal site which they paid no attention too. We are in a business district and the town zoning commission approved our business for use as an adult studio to shoot content for our adult websites. A lot of people who model for us also pay for classes using E-passport. We also have a photographer that does portfolio's for models who want fetish photos or videos These people are not prostitutes or doing any type of sex act. Their is no sex included in any of our sites. bdsm does not include --intercourse, anal. oral or otherwise
its FETISH FETISH BDSM MEANS SPANKING .FOOT WORSHIP, ROLE PLAYING AND ALL TYPES OF ACTING

NOT SEX..please read carefully before you accuse anyone for a crime and make a statement such as being busted, arrested or charge.
this is about them entering into a home business just like they can enter into yours...
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE ADVICE
The freespeach coalition has referred us to an attorney who is taking our case ..the website will remain up and i will not let anyone violate my rights.
Robert

2005-11-18, 02:28 AM	#1
webwoman Aw, Dad, you've done a lot of great things, but you're a very old man, and old people are useless Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 22	Need help /raided and computers seized wednesday afternoon at 2pm in enfield ct my home was raided by the local and state police . There were over 30 officers some in uniforms some in plain clothes that stormed into my home shouting we have a search warrant. They ordered us to sit down on the couch . I was never shown a search warrant only told that i would see it when they finished checking for whatever it was they were looking for. I did not open the door to let them in they entered on their own. I asked to see the warrant and they refused to show me. The town that i live in approved my home based internet adult business along with a studio that i shoot content and video for my sites. i have all my legal paper work as far as taxes 2257 and zoning ect. When they did not find what they were looking for they decided to take my 4 computers cameras all my business files and both rooms of furniture that we use for our shoots . I have a bdsm fetish website that they have decided to investigate. they told me it was illegal to pratice sadomasochism because it was a sex act the same as intercourse. they told me spanking and any type of this play was prostitution. They made no arrest nor did they ever leave the warrant or the itemized list of things they took. It took them 5 hrs to go through my house and dismantel and pack all of the so called evidence into their new forensic van. My sites are still up and running I have called the freespeach collision today in hopes that they could help me with an attorney for my adult based business. My sold source of income comes from my websites and videos that i sell and people in the fetish lifestyle who help in the expenses associated with adult industry. I was also setup when they had a man show up at my door saying that he was here for his spanking and that he was to give me 250 for it.. imagine having to park your car in the front of a house thats being raided with 30 police cars a hugh forensic van parked in my driveway and cops outside inside and everywhere ..the cops watched as the guy got out of his car walked through all the officers holding money in his hand claiming that he was told he would get a spanking session with EmpressM AND that it was 250. Tell me what kind of fool would come to the door seeing all that action going on and say he was here on business. It was a setup ..still dont know why they raided me took all my stuff and left . how do i get it back anyone have any information i can use to help fight this. Michelle i have seen other people who own sites raided as well. if its possible to talk about how they got through it. or who the contacted to help ..thank you for listening ..if i posted in the wrong area sorry about that but i understand this board to be one of the best sources of information and help.

2005-11-18, 02:47 AM	#2
Surfn If you don’t take a chance the Angels won’t dance Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Earth on occasion Posts: 8,812	If things went down the way you say you have some serious law suites pending. Most of what you have said is illegal for them to do. I would contact an attorney and or the ACLU and move forward. I doubt that you will get anything returned to you but you may get monetary relief. __________________ Surfn's Links Are you a partner?

2005-11-18, 04:50 AM	#4
Halfdeck You can now put whatever you want in this space :) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Haven, CT Posts: 985	I've met cops who have no respect for the law and they make me sick. Your story kinda puts me on edge because I also live in CT. Hold them accountable for every line they cross and make them pay -- Otherwise they will continue raiding who knows how many other webmasters. __________________ Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm.

2005-11-18, 06:11 AM	#5
furrygirl No offence Apu, but when they were handing out religions you must have been out taking a whizz Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 281	I'm sure you're at your wit's end trying to sort out what to do, but as Bill said, write everything down. Try and get everything you can down on paper, including officer names and badge numbers, if you have them. Although many of them are hostile towards sex workers and pornographers, I would try and get in touch with some lefty groups in your area. Many "left" organizations have dealt with government harassment and bullshit searches, so they may have some good civil rights resources for you that are region-specific. You could try posting an account of your raid on the Danbury IMC http://www.madhattersimc.org and see if you get any helpful replies. Best of luck, please keep us posted, and let us know what your sites are so the bloggers can get to work talking about your situation and possibly helping with legal fundraising. __________________ furrygirl.com & vegporn.com & vegsexshop.com & eroticred.com

2005-11-18, 12:48 PM	#8
Hammer Are you sure you're an accredited and honored pornographer? Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 62	Gonna be hard to fight the prostition rap when you accept donations or tips for sexual services, whether it involves intercourse or not. __________________ Hammer Porn Site Pros - Complete free and paysite packages $500 off our gay pay sites for the holidays

2005-11-18, 04:40 AM	#3
Bill Selling porn allows me to stay in a constant state of Bliss - ain't that a trip! Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 3,914	In case you haven't been told this already, you should write down everything you can remember about this while it is still fresh in your mind. Take as many pictures as is safe to do and possible, write down everything that happens to you, with a note or estimate of the time, every name you can, every detail you can. This will probably be worth it's weight in gold later, as these things take a while, and courts and lawyers are more responsive to notes and details. If you can, keep us informed as things progress.

2005-11-18, 10:45 AM	#6
RawAlex Took the hint. Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,597	webwoman, I will give you exactly one tip: Get a lawyer. A chat board isn't going to be able to help you with the issue you got. If your story is true, I have a feeling that your local police / community / neighbors have gotten together to get rid of you. The guy showing up with the money is a nice capper and that will go over really well. Get a lawyer. Get a lawyer. Get a lawyer. Get a lawyer. All other advice here is a waste of your time, and any post you make could be used against you in the future. Put a ball gag in your mouth and let a laywer do the talking. Alex

2005-11-18, 10:55 AM	#7
RawAlex Took the hint. Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,597	I will also say this: I had a look at your website, and I see you soliciting for "donations" or "tips" or whatever for sessions, running between $300 and $1000 - and using epassporte to get paid for it. You truly need a lawyer, I have a feeling (that if this thread is true) that you are in some seriously deep shit, and you won't be able to spank and whip your way out of this one. Alex

2005-11-18, 01:30 PM	#10
babymaker Someone Turn Off The Damn Heat! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Sewer....err.philly i mean Posts: 1,366	hey, Alex where did you get the URL for the site?? i want to take a look too. __________________ *Get ElevatedX W/Hosting 99MO!*

2005-11-18, 02:55 PM	#11
SirMoby Jim? I heard he's a dirty pornographer. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 2,706	If you've been taking donations or tips then this is not a place to get advice. Actually even if your weren't it's still not a place to get legal advice. People will send you off in the wrong direction without posting anything helpful. Talk to a lawyer. If you want some referrals of individual lawyers then ask for such. All that being said. I'd take Bill's advice and document everything in great detail. I mean great detail. Good documentation can save your ass.

2005-11-18, 03:57 PM	#15
babymaker Someone Turn Off The Damn Heat! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Sewer....err.philly i mean Posts: 1,366	Thanx Alex, I found it. She will probably be in trouble for the "prostitution" stuff can't really fight that. It says right on the website she does it and names a price, pretty hard to get out of. __________________ *Get ElevatedX W/Hosting 99MO!*

2005-11-18, 04:13 PM	#16
Tommy NYC Boy That Moved To The Island Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 2,940	no offence but is it just me or does anyone else feel that sites like these hurt all of us I feel that websites like these that sell illegal things like prostition are exactly the type of sites that brings in goverment regulation __________________ Accepting New partners

2005-11-18, 04:18 PM	#17
RawAlex Took the hint. Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,597	Tommy, sites like this do great harm to our business at the end of the day. They attempt to put acts that are likely illegal (including solicitation for prostituion, penetration with bondage, and the like) into the mainstream porn world, and when the shit hits the fan, they try to pull the cover of legal porn over themselves. There are cam girls out there that, for a donation, will invite fans to do shows with them. I don't really see where this is different from prositution, but I guess they think they can cover themselves over with legal porn and think they are not doing anything wrong. The enforcement officials are not that stupid. Alex

2005-11-18, 04:25 PM	#18
Tommy NYC Boy That Moved To The Island Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 2,940	Alex I agree 100% with you, Very well said __________________ Accepting New partners

2005-11-18, 04:36 PM	#19
Bill Selling porn allows me to stay in a constant state of Bliss - ain't that a trip! Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 3,914	At first glance, the site looks like a normal 'amateur' bdsm femdom site. But, upon deeper examination, it does seem to be soliciting money for sex acts. Which does look like they are definitely breaking the law. There exists a pretty large illegal dominitrix prostitute business around the country, but mixing it with legal porn is fucked up. In general, I'm not a big fan of police and prosecutors. And everybody running any type of small porn production business out of their home has good reason to fear them. But, that's not a legitimate porn site.

2005-11-18, 05:03 PM	#20
Hammer Are you sure you're an accredited and honored pornographer? Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 62	I think it's ridiculous that prostitution is illegal and that a woman can't charge a man for having sex with her if she feels like it, but posting on an adult webmaster board after you get busted for prositition and comparing that to someone running an adult website is pretty lame. __________________ Hammer Porn Site Pros - Complete free and paysite packages $500 off our gay pay sites for the holidays

2005-11-18, 05:43 PM	#21
Ramster Life is good Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 11,693	Alex, yes well said!! Wow, I did not post before but to me it seems clear. You deserved to be raided and you are not an adult webmaster. You are a prostitute selling your services via a web site online...not the same IMO. __________________ Pornstar Legends \| Live Cam Model Shows \| Hungarian Girls Skype: robmurray999

2005-11-18, 06:20 PM	#22
RawAlex Took the hint. Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,597	I would truly be interested to see how many of her "models" actually signed model releases without being under duress. sigh Alex

2005-11-18, 08:05 PM	#24
Ramster Life is good Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 11,693	furrygirl, yes there are many sites out there that are not good for "us". __________________ Pornstar Legends \| Live Cam Model Shows \| Hungarian Girls Skype: robmurray999

2005-11-18, 08:33 PM	#25
robwebster Internet! Is that thing still around? Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3	Misconceptions, rumors and slander Though BDSM and Fetish are hard to understand let me try to provide you with these facts. I am a webmaster for Empressm.net. I work in conjunction with the videographer to produce and maintain the site. I can see how this can be misconstrued. If you are referring to her personal site fortressofpain.com, this site is not a part of our network of membership sites. As far as committing any crime, prostitution or otherwise, nobody was arrested or charged with any crime. As a matter of fact they were fully aware of our personal site which they paid no attention too. We are in a business district and the town zoning commission approved our business for use as an adult studio to shoot content for our adult websites. A lot of people who model for us also pay for classes using E-passport. We also have a photographer that does portfolio's for models who want fetish photos or videos These people are not prostitutes or doing any type of sex act. Their is no sex included in any of our sites. bdsm does not include --intercourse, anal. oral or otherwise its FETISH FETISH BDSM MEANS SPANKING .FOOT WORSHIP, ROLE PLAYING AND ALL TYPES OF ACTING NOT SEX..please read carefully before you accuse anyone for a crime and make a statement such as being busted, arrested or charge. this is about them entering into a home business just like they can enter into yours... THANK YOU FOR ALL THE ADVICE The freespeach coalition has referred us to an attorney who is taking our case ..the website will remain up and i will not let anyone violate my rights. Robert __________________ Please Re-Read The Rules For Sig Files