Local/Fed Cops Bust Alleged Brothel Masquerading as Porn Biz

PHOENIX, AZ—An anonymous “beige block building” in Phoenix was the location of a raid last night by local as well as federal law enforcement, who took nine people into custody on charges related to operating a prostitution ring using a legitimate adult business as cover. “Officers quickly made entry into the business, operated by New Media Studios, located in an industrial area near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and immediately began escorting women out,” reported [view link]. “Some wore dresses and jeans, one woman had leopard-print pajamas, and another was visibly pregnant and told officers she was weeks away from giving birth.” The owner of the studio, William James Hartwell, 52, who was arrested along with eight women, said he was not surprised, telling an arresting officer, “We've been expecting you guys for a long time,” but then adding as he was being escorted to the car, “We run a safe, legal business.” The investigation into the business, which was reportedly instigated by a tip, was six months in the making, and led investigators “to believe the studio was selling more than photos and videos.” Ostensibly a business making adult videos, the investigation instead pointed to a ruse in which, according to court documents, clients would contact the business and be directed to the Phoenix location, where a process would commence to allegedly scan them for law enforcement. The court documents further indicate that a potential john would be asked to sign paperwork explicitly stating that he is “paying to have his pornographic fantasy recorded,” after which “operators would also perform a ‘check' for sexually transmitted diseases that required customers to drop their pants and expose themselves.” Clients would then meet with women in private rooms “where photos were taken. Then, according to court documents, the customer was told he ‘could do whatever he wanted.' The women told clients that they made money taking photos and ‘whatever else happens, happens.” A website is also allegedly attached to the business, but the URL was not named. According to AZCentral, “Whether the studio was making pornography or serving as a prostitution front will be the crucial question for prosecutors.” The outlet also noted that “businesses already produce porn in the Valley, many featuring women touted as amateurs, and that while “Arizona law prohibits the production and sale of obscene material… proving a violation of obscenity statutes typically requires proof that someone ran afoul of community standards with material that had no legal, artistic or scientific value.” Of possible relevance to yesterday's raid, the news site also noted, “Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery has said in the past that he will prosecute pornography cases police bring to his office, but he references anti-prostitution statutes as his primary tools.” [view link]