I'm obsessed with The Studio, it seems.  It's just such a terrible, terrible idea.  It will be raided sooner or later.  It doesn't just run gaily along the edge of the law.  It's an out and out brothel with lip-service paid to legalities.

But still... It's still in business, I suppose.  So maybe there's something I don't know.  (Which is unlikely, because I bet I'm super-smart.)  

Anyway, I keep looking for information on it and coming up empty except for a few posts on these boards.  So what's the deal?  As I understand it, you're ostensibly making porn, which while perhaps not entirely outlawed in this state, is nevertheless being likened to prostitution by the current County Attorney.

But if it IS porn, then are there cameras, like, everywhere?  What about you privacy?  

Bad, bad idea.  

But the fact that they are still in business drives me to distraction.  

Any thoughts?

Regarding their business being legal... is anything really legal?   If you treat a girl to dinner there is an expectation of sex afterwards, technically that is prostitution too.  So make sure when you go out on a date, you are splitting the bill, that way the cops won't arrest you afterwards.

Also, things like oral sex and anal sex are illegal, so do it in missionary only.  Video tape it too so that you can give a copy of it it to your lawyer for safe keeping.  Should you ever be arrested, the jury will need to review your video (and forward to the good parts with the remote control) then they will vote not guilty.  

-- Modified on 5/29/2013 7:05:18 PM

Oral sex and anal sex are no longer illegal, the sodomy laws being abolished in 2001 (Yeah, they got right on that).

And treating a girl to dinner with the expectation of sex is not the same as an actual explicit agreement to sex.  

So, you know, respectfully disagree.

-- Modified on 5/29/2013 7:58:17 PM

Poppycock!!  It's freakin illegal.... and taking a girl to dinner and then having sex IS... use your head.

It all sucks, we know that, but it's pretty clear if you get busted.... you get busted.  You do the best you can, but don't be stupid just cause it seems it "should be" OK theoretically.

OK

History repeats itself... place seems exactly like DD.

DAK

Exactly like DD? LOL! Not at ALL. I agree that the studio is a bust waiting to happen. I'm sure there watching them right now, and will continue to investigate until they have enough to prosecute. If I were you, I'd stay very far away.

The point was that you can be busted anytime, anywhere, for anything, even if you are innocent.  To live your life with a GUARANTEE that you will never get busted for anything would require you to go to absurd lengths.  Even if you drive to the supermarket, statistically speaking, you are likely to break the law 8 times by the time you get there.

Besides, the absence of an "actual explicit agreement to sex" never stopped anyone from being busted.  Just an implied agreement is enough to bust somebody.  Not that it matters, because the cops can just lie about it anyway.

I'm sure you saw my posts. First time was awesome. Second time turned out to be bait and switch. The half hour rate seems reasonable, but if you double that for an hour....not so great. There are WAY better options. Personally I don't see going there again. I dodged the bullet... how many times can you?

I have extensively search the interwebz to see if any video from "the studio" has been posted online. Found nothing.

It's your choice.......................................your super smart.

If not let me tell you how I see it. Once, twice=good times. Then move on. Variety is the spice of life.  

Just my .02

But that place is a sitting duck, it's only a matter of time I think.

I can't provide a link as there are names mentioned in all the articles and that's against TER rules. The place operated out in the open, it took LE two years to finally bust the place.  

I seem to remember it having a lot of cameras around, legal or otherwise.  That was YEARS ago, wasn't it?  He was quite a character/

Is it about the same as southwestattractions?  They have been in business for years and never get busted.

It is simply some persons brain work on how to out smart LE. I do not wish them or anyone bad luck however, the criminal code is clear. They may charge it as a class 2 under schemes and artifices. I would think that they would stack a myriad of counts and other charges as well. The end result would be prison time. Unfortunately LE works and builds a case first before they arrest someone. Thus, I would guess they are working on it.

"Buddah" has periodically e-mailed me over the years checking on things.  He moved away years ago but believe he moved back to Phoenix maybe a year ago.  As far as I know however he is not currently doing anything in the industry.-

Country Attorney Montgomery has made it clear porn is prostitution in Maricopa Cty.  It is only legal in CA (and I believe 1 other State) based on case law and actors have to be members of a recognized actors guild and many other requirements to be legal.  

Sex for money has to be explicit - like GFE or worse on ads or websites - that is direct prostitution solicitation and no other action is needed by LE if they locate you.  A very well known teacher and massage gal was arrested as part of ROSE III round up it seems solely because some of her ads included prostate massage as part of her Tantra practice.  She never met with any cop other than the bust team that came to her home about 2 weeks ago.  

On the other hand a naked gal from the Temple was laying naked with an undercover cop who tried is best to get an explicit agreement like "for the $204 will I at least get xxxx?"  She refused to take the bait and cop gave up - no prostitution bust.

Sadly she and 38 others faced serious felonies and prison due to Criminal Enterprise charges - because of the proclaimed teachings of the leader and uncover female cop who went trough training and another gal cop.  There are only about 3 alleged hand releases there is any evidence of but the website talked about prostate massage and certain idiot in jail house media interview said, "we don't ALWAYS have sex! Sometimes fat women just need attention!"

The gal that was wise not to be charged by not saying the wrong thing in bed with cop is now facing the treat of 20+ years in prison purely by "association with a criminal enterprise" not prostitution.  

This is similar to many massage parlor busts - 3 large well known ones where male co-owner committed suicide days before being sentenced to prison. The female owner got 4 years I believe in prison.  Many gals pled guilty to association and got probation but a lifetime felony record.  

Probably over $1 million has been spent on the Temple case - now on 3rd indictment as they layer on money laundering charges for ever transaction.  Some took felony pleas for probation, others are still fighting.  

Giving pleasure is a very serious offense according to those that proclaim the know what is best for us.  Hand jobs somehow are a serious danger to the community.  The line is all escorts/massage folks are sexual abused, need "Dignity" the name of the Catholic program and turn from their wicked ways of providing healthy sexual releases between consenting adults

As always, Dave has spelled it out clearly and accurately.  

I saw a post where the studio was for sale or looking for investors.  

I feel sorry for the gals.  In this case they are explicitly being told that porn is legal to make, and legal to make in Arizona, so... no worries.  They truly believe that they are not engaged in any illegal activity, because the boss man told them so.  Wait till the charges come down.  It will be a sad day for those trusting souls who thought they were just taking a few pictures for personal use

For those that want the ins and outs of laws regarding prostitution in Maricopa county it can be found below. Nowhere is there a penalty for hiring a prostitute. I'm not saying your not in trouble if you get caught in the act, but you a sure as hell are not going to be charged with a felony for going somewhere like the studio. I would think the fuzz would be more interested in getting you to flip on them. Just my .02

Good luck fighting County Attorney Montgomery who did a news conference making it clear porn filming in AZ is illegal and they will aggressively go after any.  

He is on a crime wave against escorts, massage places etc and bringing multiple felony charges not mere prostitution if more than one involved with long potential prison terms - related to "Criminal Enterprise"  Many recent cases and some now in the Courts and most folks take pleas for probation to avoid prison but lifelong felon record.

icture of owner on azcentral.com - Owner age 52 and 8 women taken into custody also in front of media (women in white in handcuffs hands behind back always loved shot by media). Chan 3 TV reports other arrests may be pending.

New Media Studios (think had another name earlier) a "self service" porn studio was a front for prostitution, ostensibly luring clients who want to star in their own adult films.  

After six month investigation was raided by FBI and Phoenix PD. No customers were inside the business, located near 40th Street and University Drive in Phoenix

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.

Clients contacted the business and were directed to the location. Once there, they received paperwork to sign, according to court documents.

The paperwork states explicitly that “he is paying to have his pornographic fantasy recorded,” according to court documents.

The operators would also perform a “check” for sexually transmitted diseases that required customers to drop their pants and expose themselves, according to records.

Investigators believe this was as much an attempt to screen for law-enforcement officers, who might be prohibited from exposing themselves, than it was to check for diseases, according to court documents.

Once inside, the customer met with a woman in a private room 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,” according to records.

There is no sign outside the beige block building alluding to the business or its trade, but the company frequently placed ads in the adult-services sections of popular websites, including some posted Thursday asking for models and promoting services for new clients.

And a website affiliated with the company details the legal theory that some believed made the business legitimate.

“Most porn is constitutionally protected as free speech,” the site states. “While at the studio you are paying for equipment and studio rental only and may not engage in any illegal or unsafe activities. ... If you come to make amateur porn, you are welcome at the studio.”

Whether the studio was making pornography or serving as a prostitution front will be the crucial question for prosecutors.

Arizona law prohibits the production and sale of obscene material, but 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.

Businesses already produce porn in the Valley, many featuring women touted as amateurs.  

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.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20130620phoenix-police-raid-pornography-studio-abrk.html?nclick_check=1

Chan 3 TV reports other arrests may be pending.

Report also at http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_phoenix_metro/central_phoenix/pd-9-busted-at-phoenix-pornography-business  

Based on many other massage parlor, Temple and agency busts in the past charges are likely to be similar to a defendent that last week took a plea deal.  Her plea agreement to 4 of about 11 counts are typical:

Before the judge she tearfully took a plea deal to plead guilty on 4 counts with the rest dismissed. To get the plea she had to agree to a statement of facts for each count:

 1) illegal control of an enterprise - Felony class 3 -Was in administrative position with various details for an organization that took money for sex.

2) Operating a house of prostitution- Felony class 5

3) Money laundering- Felony class 3 -received money from prostitution. Even turing in money by a gal to the owner, often the provider is charged with money laundering simply for transferring the money.  

4) Pandering - Felony class 3 - placed ads for prostitution in various media.

No sentence is agreed to.  I bet these will be the charges in the porn studio case as in many others.

Dave, Good job on your post. This is not good for providers or hobbyist. When this case rears it's ugly head because it is so blatant, I believe the Feds may take an interest in this case as well. Don't be surprised if they come with a myriad of counts, class 2s like I said before. Schemes and Artifices and the feds may invite IRS, CID  to look at tax evasion and money laundering. Hobbyist get ready for subpoena's before the Grand Jury.