Wilhan Martono, 46, ended up being indicted on June 2 on a single count of advertising of prostitution and careless neglect of sex trafficking, one count of interstate racketeering conspiracy (facilitating prostitution), nine counts of interstate transportation in help of racketeering (facilitating prostitution), and 17 counts of cash laundering. He had been arrested on June 17 in Fremont, Ca by Homeland Security Investigations in addition to usa Secret provider

Soon after the defendant’s arrest, CityXGuide ended up being replaced with a website landing page notifying users that the web site was indeed seized because of the U.S. Department of Homeland safety pursuant to a warrant.

In line with the indictment, Mr. Martono presumably netted a lot more than $21 million off a suite of illicit web sites prostitution that is promoting intercourse trafficking. He presumably registered the names of domain for a number of for the web sites just one single time following the FBI power down Backpage, then your internet’s leading supply of prostitution and intercourse trafficking adverts.

Despite Terms of good use purportedly forbidding the ad of unlawful services that are sexual CityXGuide and its particular affiliated websites (Backpage.co, CAPleasures, and BodyRubShop, and others) allegedly permitted brothels, pimps, and prostitutes to create thousands and thousands of ads for intimate solutions, which users could then filter by geography and choice.

In communication with Mr. Martono, one of is own CityXGuide advertisers noted that the internet site ended up being “taking over from where Backpage left off.”

CityXGuide and its particular friend websites allegedly allowed advertisers to pick from a pre-populated directory of “intimate tasks,” you can add nude photographs, information, work hours, types of re re payment, and email address for the ladies being promoted. The websites offered paid “upgrades,” which could be purchased in Bitcoin or in exchange for gift cards from Walmart, Best Buy, Lowe’s, Amazon, and other retailers in order to secure premium placement. Mr. Martono presumably utilized CardCash, a 3rd party present card reseller, to switch these gift cards for U.S. money.

Mr. Martono presumably took actions to conceal their online activity by routing website traffic through an internet protocol address in European countries, utilizing a VPN to mask their ip while conducting CardCash deals, and funneling their proceeds by way of a system of company and personal bank records. (during the time of Mr. Martono’s arrest, the Department of Homeland protection seized vast amounts from records managed by Mr. Martono.)

CityXGuide, which served customers throughout the world, included a summary of 14 “Favorite Cities,” including Dallas, l . a ., san francisco bay area, Las vegas, nevada, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, and Boston.

Police force has identified many small victims in CityXGuide adverts, including a 13-year-old jane doe recovered in North Texas in November 2019.

“As quickly as DOJ turn off one site that is despicable another popped around simply simply take its destination,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox. This defendant made millions facilitating the online exploitation of women and children“Like the owners of backpage. The Justice Department will maybe not sleep until these websites are eradicated and their owners held in charge of their crimes.”

“This instance is a reminder that is harsh of ruthlessness of peoples traffickers and lengths to that they get, including victimizing ladies and kids, in order to make a revenue,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, Unique Agent in control of Homeland Security Investigations’ Dallas Field workplace. “HSI maintains its unwavering dedication to investigate these heinous crimes, rescue victims, and prosecute the offenders towards the fullest degree associated with the legislation.”

“The Secret Service remains dedicated to investigating and pursuing those accountable for cyber-enabled economic crimes. Even though explosive expansion associated with cyber domain has forced us to build up revolutionary methods for performing these kind of investigations, our proven model remains equivalent,” said Secret Service Special Agent in control of the Dallas Field Office William Smarr, including, “This research is a wonderful exemplory case of a partnership between neighborhood, state, and federal police force agencies working together to effectively prosecute numerous violations of federal statutes. You can find genuine victims that are innocent to these crimes. The key Service also thanks the Northern District of Texas usa Attorney’s workplace due to their aggressive support.”

“I’m happy with all of us whom, with this federal lovers, relentlessly pursued this research for over per year. Today, we now have produced impact that is significant among the world’s biggest electronic marketplaces for prostitution and intercourse trafficking. We understand numerous everyday lives will soon be conserved through this effort that is joint” said Michael C. Miller, Chief of Police for the Colleyville Police Department.

An indictment is only an allegation of unlawful conduct, perhaps not evidence. As with any defendants, Mr. Martono is assumed innocent unless and until proven responsible in a court of legislation.

If convicted, he faces as much as 25 years in federal jail.

Mr. Martono ended up being charged in component under FOSTA, a law passed away within the wake associated with the Backpage scandal in April 2018 which allows the government that is federal prosecute internet sites that facilitate intercourse trafficking.

The North Texas Trafficking Task Force carried out the research, led by Homeland Security Investigations’ Dallas Field workplace, the usa Secret provider, and also the Colleyville Police Department, with the help of HSI’s El Paso and San Jose Field workplaces along with the Texas Department of Public protection. Assistant usa Attorneys Sid Mody, Rebekah Ricketts, and John de los angeles Garza are prosecuting the actual situation.