Site Seized Over Sex Trafficking Allegations; Portman Credits SESTA
Authorities seized CityXGuide.com over sex trafficking allegations and charged its owner in a 28-count federal indictment, DOJ said Friday. The announcement described the website as a successor to Backpage.com (see 1909200052). Wilhan Martono, owner of CityXGuide.com, was indicted June 2…
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on various charges of facilitation of prostitution, sex trafficking, interstate transportation and money laundering. The website was seized by the Department of Homeland Security. “Like the owners of Backpage, this defendant made millions facilitating the online exploitation of women and children,” U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox said. Martono faces up to 25 years in federal prison. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, welcomed the announcement, saying the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers-Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking (SESTA-FOSTA) acts made the indictment possible “by clarifying that it is illegal to knowingly facilitate sex trafficking.” CityXGuide.com didn’t comment.