“For example, images and videos sold on the Newstar Websites depicted children as young as 6 years old in sexual and provocative poses, wearing police and cheerleader costumes, thong underwear, transparent underwear, revealing swimsuits, pantyhose and miniskirts,” according to the Justice Department based on court documents.
Newstar Enterprise members recruited most of the child victims from Eastern European countries including Ukraine and Moldova where children are particularly vulnerable because of their age, family dynamics, and poverty.
Newstar websites allow the public to preview the images and videos for free. The company requires purchasing a subscription to have more access to its collection of sexually explicit content. The company has a membership list of subscribers and customers of the Newstar websites. Its customers originated from 101 countries.
Law enforcement authorities disabled the servers hosting the Newstar websites, which generated $9.4 million during the course of its operation. Newstar members processed, received, and distributed the money using fraudulently opened merchant and bank accounts in the United States. They laundered the money using a bogus jewelry company.
Two defendants pleaded guilty
According to the Justice Department, two of the Florida women defendants Patice Wilowski Mevorah and Mary Lou Bjorkman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. Their sentences are pending. They are facing a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.
